Resolutions? Let’s face it, more often than not we don’t keep them.  So let’s change the word to ‘Commitments’ as in “I am going to make some commitments in my life and in my career”. It feels different – using the word Commitment feels like it has a purpose. So…..

Make 2020 your best with a year’s worth of commitments for a lifetime of positive results:

  1. Set goals. Take a good look at what you want in life. Have you committed to these goals by purposefully taking steps toward reaching them? (Write them down – if you don’t your goals are just wishes)
  2. Get a Mentor. Seek out people with the knowledge you desire. Find people you want to be like – now ask them and I promise they will be flattered
  3. Read. Create a personal reading programme by determining how many books of different kinds (personal development, business, nonfiction) you’ll read this year. Don’t skip literary fiction; a recent study shows it improves social skills. I have just finished ‘One False Move’ by Robert Goddard and just started reading ‘Rebel Ideas’ (the power of diverse thinking) by Mathew Syed – I recommend both to you.
  4. Improve productivity. Log your activities for a week to assess timewasters. Make sure you aren’t spending chunks of the day on activities that don’t drive your business forward or improve your life. My theme for 2020 will be ‘Lean Management’. So, I will look at every part of my professional and personal life and eliminate waste – what am I wasting time on? What am I duplicating? What savings (financially) can I make that will not affect my performance and the difference I want to make in other people’s live
  5. Wake up early. Get up before your household to contemplate what you want to accomplish – then seize the day. (I get up 3 hours before I officially start work – it has worked for me over the last 47 years in both careers). Although I must admit I struggle a little (my wife says a lot) after 6pm.
  6. Get an accountability partner. Check in regularly to review accomplishments areas for improvement and next steps. Meet them regularly, give them your set of goals and then get them to hold you to account.
  7. Do something you’ve always wanted to do. Life is too short so don’t wait to live it.
  8. Take small steps. Whatever it is you seek, just get started. Commit to some easy, feasible activity to move you closer to those goals every day. I have always found that looking for small successes and achievements builds my confidence going forward to achieve something very big!
  9. Journal. Whether it’s an idea, a problem you want to solve or an inspiring quote, write it down. My oldest daughter, Jennifer has bought me two journals for Christmas: ‘Run Free Journal’ and ‘Every Day Matters’ 2020 Diary. Here is the first thought for 1st January from the diary: “And, now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been” Rainer Maria Rilke
  10. Practice mindfulness. You will improve your effectiveness, well-being and longevity. Research shows that by learning how to stop needless ruminating helps to focus on the here and now. Here is something from what I have learned from Bettina about mindfulness

In 2020 I will take a step back (often) and I will think about what I have in my life and be grateful for everything that comes my way. If it happens to be a failure, I will see it as my first and second step towards my next success. I will understand that failure is not permanent, and neither is success, so I will prepare for both this year.

I am always excited by the coming of each New Year, it is an opportunity for change, development, growth and reinvention, both in my personal life and my work. So please join me and: GET UP AND GO! TAKE A LEAP FORWARD in 2020.

 

All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.   T.E. Lawrence