How to Set Yourself Up for Success in 2013: A Step-by-Step Guide

As we enter into a new year, many of us take this opportunity to reflect on the past year and set goals for the year ahead. Reflection is an important first step in this process as it helps us gain insights from our experiences and learn from them. In a recent article on LifeHack, the author outlined a reflection exercise to help us prepare for the new year. In this article, we will build on this exercise and provide a step-by-step guide on how to set yourself up for success in 2013.

Step 1: Preparation
Find a peaceful and quiet area where you will have no distractions. Whether it’s a local park, the beach or a place that inspires you, make sure it’s a comfortable spot to sit. Take a notepad and pen or if you prefer, a digital device for writing on. Spend 10 minutes reading over the notes you took from the previous exercise to get back into a state of deep thought and inner being.

Step 2: Describe Your Ideal Life
Before setting specific goals, gain clarity around the longer-term. Describe what your ideal life looks like, whether that’s 5 years from now, 10 years or even 20 years. Be realistic with what you think is possible and think deeply about what you would love to be doing. Some questions you can use as thought prompters include:
– What are you doing?
– Who are you with?
– Where are you?
– Where do you live?
– How do you spend your day?
– What income are you earning?
– What’s generating your income?

It’s important to gain clarity around where you want to get to in the long-term before setting specific goals for the year as you want your goals to be aligned with and help you progress towards your ideal life. Take as long as you need to do this exercise.

Step 3: Set Your Goals
Using the inputs from the ideal life and reflection exercises, start thinking about what can be realistically achieved in 2013. Write SMART goals that you can achieve this year. To recap on SMART:
– Specific
– Measurable
– Achievable
– Relevant
– Time-bound

Set yourself stretching targets. Incorporate the above elements from SMART into your goals and make them “stretching” to ensure motivation, drive, commitment, performance, and ultimate success. Just remember that they also need to be realistic and achievable, otherwise, you will demotivate yourself. Your goals should be aligned to your ideal life. If they’re not, ask yourself why you are even considering putting it down on paper and committing to it.

Next Steps
Now that you know where you want to go, you’re set up for success this year! You have a clear understanding of where you are now, where you want to get to in the longer-term and specific and measurable goals that can create amazing change in your life this year. Remember, change and progress happens one step at a time. The most important thing is that you take that first step. Momentum is a beautiful thing. Once you start taking a few baby steps, you will learn to walk, and then you’ll learn to run. Your habits will define you, and they will start to create success for you.

In conclusion, the start of a new year is a great opportunity to reflect on the past and set goals for the future. By following this step-by-step guide, you can set yourself up for success in 2013. Remember to stay motivated and committed, and always keep your goals aligned with your ideal life. Here’s to making 2013 the best year of your life!