What’s Different About This Year?

Hard to believe that we are already two weeks into the start of a new calendar year. Where has the time gone, and what’s different about this year?

Well, here are a few things that are different about the start of this year compared to 2013 …

  • We’ve had record snowstorms and cold temperatures in the Midwest and East.
  • To start the year, the #1 song on the charts was ‘The Monster’ by Eminem and Rihanna.
  • Last year’s Super Bowl winner has already been knocked out of the NFL playoffs.
  • The Dallas Cowboys failed to make the NFL playoffs (oops, nothing different here).
  • 2014 is the ‘Year of the Horse’ according to the Chinese zodiac calendar.

You know, however, that is not where I’m headed when I asked, “What’s different about this year?” Let’s explore a few things you can do to make 2014 different (better).

New Year

Nothing changes until something changes.

It’s fitting that 2014 is the Year of the Horse. The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people’s ethos – making unremitting efforts to improve themselves.

In order for self-improvement to occur something has to change, right? So, stop believing things are going to change for the better if you don’t. If you want more out of life, you must be willing to make the investment. Let’s face it, you can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket. Life works in much the same way.

What changes are you committed to make to achieve your goals and enable 2014 to be your best year so far?

As we all know, setting goals is the easy part if done correctly. The goal-setting process should start with two fundamental questions:

  1. What do you really want?
  2. What is holding you back today?

The first question is the one we tend to struggle with the most. However, if you don’t have clarity around what you really want in life, then New Year’s resolutions and goal-setting are a total waste of time. So, determine what you truly want in life first, then make the commitment to work on how to get it.

If you are truly committed to making 2014 a better year, here are three Success Tips that I hope will help:

  1. Adjust your vision. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” A change in perspective is a requisite for self-improvement.
  2. Don’t just think – DO! Goal-setting and planning are necessary to provide clarity, focus and a roadmap for success. However, 85% of success can be attributed to execution.
  3. Focus on people, not things. In goal-setting I refer to the 5F’s + C areas (Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Fun + Community). People are at the center of everything – surround yourself with people who will love and support you and vice versa.

Final thoughts – do something different this year that your future self will thank you for. Keep pushing forward with the changes required to make 2014 your best year so far. Refuse to settle and don’t allow complacency, or the roadblocks holding you back today to get in your way.

Best of luck for your continued success in 2014.

Enjoy the journey!

John

 

NOTE: My online course, Discover YOUR Formula for Success provides access to the resources and tools you need to develop a comprehensive personal plan for success.  Here is the link to the course outline for more information: https://www.udemy.com/discover-your-formula-for-success

 

COPYRIGHT © 2014 John Carroll