In this post, Coach and Trainer Simon Pimenta shares ideas for refelecting on the year before thinking about the coming year.
Looking Back At 2017
With 2017 coming to a close, I find it useful to reflect on the year past.
Some questions I consider:
What were the highlights?
What were the achievements that I am proud of?
What am I grateful for?
What were the challenges?
What can I learn from the above?
What action am I going to take to make 2018 great?
You may identify other questions that are useful to you.
One of my highlights was going to the Leeds Festival! It was a lot of fun.
Consider how you can add more of the good stuff into 2018 and less of the challenging stuff.
Write a list of the above; this may form the basis of your resolutions/goals for 2018.
Looking Forward to 2018
Consider that:
Where you are now is the result of the habits you cultivated over the last year.
Where you are a year from now is the result of the habits you cultivate from now on.
Often people make and break resolutions before the end of January, for a variety of reasons.
It might be because:
1. They have too many resolutions
2.Their resolutions are too big/unsustainable
For example, they say “I will go to the gym for an hour 5 times a week.”
Starting with half an hour 3 times a week may be achievable.
3. They rely on willpower
Willpower is finite- it runs out.
4. They lack accountability
They don’t have someone to keep them on track
5. Consequently they get easily discouraged and give up
Making Resolutions Stick
If you are prone to making resolutions and breaking and forgetting them before the end of January, try this :
1. Make A List Of Resolutions/Goals
People talk about the idea that making sure your goals are SMART, will help you achieve your goals.
SMART is an acronym:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time limited
Others say “Don’t make them realistic, think big!”
Maybe you could have goals that are realistic and others that are ambitious…
2. Pick 3 Goals To Focus On
For instance, one of my 3 goals is to have a flatter belly!
3. Use Visualisation
Think about how you will look and feel when you have achieved your goal.
So for example, if I want to have a flatter belly, I will visualise myself with a flat belly and looking fitter- having more body mass in the right places.
A vision board can help- this is simply a board on which you add pictures to represent your goals.
So I might put a picture of toned man with a toned belly and I might photoshop my head onto the picture. This image will stick in my mind, as it amuses me.
If I am tempted to eat another portion of potatoes, then that image on my board reminds me of my goal and motivates me to choose the goal over the potatoes!
So instead of relying just on willpower, you are utilising the power of motivation.
4. Focus & Review Resolutions/Goals
i. On a daily basis, (or whatever is relevant to the goal) think about how you are going to achieve the goal and review it at the end of the day or at the beginning of the next day.
If I see my vision board every day, it reminds me of my goals and makes me think about what I need to do each day to achieve the goal.
ii. Consider getting an accountability buddy; someone you share your goals with (and they with you) and review regularly- perhaps every 2 weeks or once a month.
5. Manage Other Resolutions/Goals
When you have one of those goals or the habits to help you achieve your goals firmly established, you can add another goal from your list if you want to.
I hope that 2018 is great for you.
Wishing you health, wealth, love and happiness in 2018!
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SIMON PIMENTA is a hypnotherapist, coach and trainer working with people to boost resilience and performance, and minimise stress.
After working in a demanding job as the Director of a Housing Trust, he went off sick and remained unable to work for the next 8 years.
He discovered a pioneering approach to resolving health issues and got back his health, and now trains others using these same techniques.