Fresh beginnings

Each new day brings hope, endless possibilities, fresh beginnings and opportunities to improve ourselves. When we improve ourselves we are able to add value to the lives of others.

Now is a great time to begin planning your 2011 personal achievement map. It may take you a day, a weekend or a week. Many individuals, couples, families and corporations, plan a retreat specifically for the purpose of planning the New Year. This year I plan on visiting Enders Island to chart my personal achievement map. Here are a few steps in making 2011 one of the best years of your life.

1. Reflect on your success (did you go back to school, start a new business, learn a new skill, watch your granddaughter learn to ride, celebrate your 50th with family and friends?). Think of special moments with family, friends, colleague's, maybe even your pets. What brought you joy, what moved you, what was magical in 2010? Take some time to capture these thoughts on paper. Revisiting these experiences will help you to create more of them.

2. What didn't you like about the year (did you experience a disappointing personal relationship, take a pay cut, not spend quality time with you family, did you not lose the 10 pounds you intended to lose?). What event brought you negative feelings or upset you? What did you learn from these experiences? Why did you not accomplish your goals? Learn from the past.

3. What are you willing to commit to in 2011? Do you want to change your body, your job, where you live? Do you want to change the way you think? Do you believe you can?

Planning may be totally new to you. I remember the first time I heard someone say "Most people spend more time planning a vacation than they do their life." Just that simple statement was the beginning of a huge change in my own life. I realize that like so many other people, I had just let life happen. Most of us work hard, are good people, we save and try to invest, and of course we love our families. While this is all good, having a strategic plan is important to achieving our mission.

In the New Year I know many of you will make New Year's resolutions. These resolutions are actually goals. Research shows that while 52% of us are confident of success only 12% actually achieve their goals. There are three main reason people do not follow through;

1. The absence of a clear vision.

2. Distractions and the inability to focus.

3. One's daily agenda.

A clear vision gives you the power you need to fulfill your mission. When you can see the outcome of your mission you will be able to overcome the many obstacles along the path to achievement. "Vision is your ideal"

There are many distractions along the path. They appear daily. Some distractions are so compelling they take us away from our mission. Learning to say no to the good and yes to what is best is part of becoming clear and focused. Focus is a skill. It does not come easy to many of us, but you can learn.

What does your daily agenda look like? Dr. John Maxwell says, "Success is determined by your daily agenda." If I were to meet you today and we looked at your daily planner, iPad, iPhone, or Android, I could tell you if you are going to be successful in achieving your goals (New Year's resolution). Is your agenda filled with stuff, unimportant social engagements, watching television, skiing every chance you get, while letting go of commitments you made to yourself? Are you the queen of Farmville? Dr. Maxwell also says "In order to go up you must give up." To achieve your mission, goal, or dream it will require clarity, focus and sacrifice. Your priorities will change. Find people who will support your mission. Surround yourself with resources, (people, books, workshops) that will bring you closer to fulfilling your hearts desires. Dream, believe and think about your mission. This will bring creative tension, which is part of the achievement process.

Studies have proven that individuals who have written goals and an action plan are more successful that those who do not. Goals must be SMART; Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. These written goals are a very large part of your success. However, having them is only one part of the strategic plan. The most power to achievement begins with knowing and being committed to your mission and vision.

Laurie Beth Jones, best-selling author of The Path states that a personal mission statement is, "in essence, a written-down reason for being-your purpose, whether for a person or for a company." I have found this to be true in my own life and in the lives of many of my clients. Truth be told, the idea of mission and vision is an ancient idea. The proverb "Where there is no vision the people perish," shows our need for vision. Knowing your mission and having a vision for the future will give you hope and purpose. What is your mission? My hope is that you Find it, Plan it and Live it!

Happy New Year,

Gail DiMarco is a Certified Professional Coach. She is the founder of iflourish coaching company. Visit iflourishcoaching.com for more information on the upcoming Path workshop, Fresh Beginnings and also inquire about private coaching.