Do you have big plans for 2017? We’re planning on a wonderful year ahead for VAology and we have some tips on how you can set yourself up for the joy and growth you desire. Here are our Top 6 Tips to Success in 2017!
Resolutions? Word of the Year? BHAGs? Items on a to do list? We say do goal setting YOUR way!
There will always be a trend or a buzzword or some new method of setting and organizing your goals and aspirations. Shoot, we’ve tried them all!
Here’s the deal… If you really want to be successful in 2017, staying totally authentic and true to yourself is a *must*! So, if you truly love keeping a journal… get out a fresh notebook and journal your goals for the year ahead. If you’re a minimalist and find words super powerful, choose a word or set of words that really capture your aspirations. Are you checklist kinda gal and love crossing things off a list? That can be a great way to goal set, too.
Just choose what feels best to you – choose what will inspire you and feel like a natural, motivating way to organize and track your resolutions for 2017. Just do you!
It’s time to take a serious look at your priorities and set some healthy boundaries, my friends! Life is all about CHOICES. Choose to say YES to what really matters, then say NO to what really actually doesn’t matter all that much… and know that it’s totally okay for you to do it!
Does this mean you might miss out? Maybe. Does it mean you might not meet other people’s expectations? Sure. Does this mean you have to say no to anything that doesn’t directly serve you or make you money? Of course not! It DOES mean you’ll be remaining totally true to yourself and, in the end, staying true to yourself is by far more rewarding.
Here’s one last nugget to mull over as you begin to choose your yeses and nos for 2017… “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically, to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside. The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good.'” – Stephen Covey
Once you’ve found the goal setting, dream identifying, focus narrowing method that you love the most, and have given yourself full permission to say no, you can start digging into the specifics of how you’ll get things done in the weeks and months ahead!
Planning is a crucial part of preparing to tackle your goals. As the ever wise, even if a bit snarky, Cheshire Cat said to Alice as she ventured into Wonderland, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”
Having a plan in place – a plan with actionable, doable steps – helps ensure that you’ll be effective and will actually follow through.
As you start to plan and commit to following through on those plans, here are a few tips:
1) Start with the very first thing you’ll need to do towards a specific goal. No matter how small it is, identifying that very first step will get you headed in the right direction.
2) Write down actionable items. Instead of “build a sales funnel,” plan out the steps you’ll need to take to accomplish that to do. (ie Write 5 emails, schedule auto responders, prepare attachments, etc.)
3) Use an “if / then” approach. IF you plan for one task, THEN what will need to come next. IF you want a certain outcome, THEN what actions will you need to take, and in what order and time frame?
4) Commit. Don’t just write down steps for the sake of planning. Plan to follow through. Plan to succeed!
**Bonus Tip – We use Azendoo to track tasks and projects and find it super helpful for planning out future projects and goals!**
Studies have shown that happiness is directly linked to thankfulness. The more grateful you are, the happier you’ll feel. And we believe the happier you feel, the more successful your life and business will be!
Before 2017 gets rolling too quickly, take time to stop and reflect on all you have to be grateful for! Count the blessings in your personal and professional life… we’re sure you’ll be surprised at how many you can list.
“Consider how very fortunate you are. Consider it every day. The more you count your blessings, the more blessings there will be to count.”
Yesterday, we suggested taking time to count your blessings and notice all you have to be thankful for. Once you realize how blessed you are, it’s almost like you can’t help but want to share the goodness with others, right?
Generosity is another characteristic and practice that we believe directly impacts the level and quality of success you’ll see in both your personal and professional life.
“Because I have been given much, I too must give.”
We’re not suggesting that you go around offering your products or services for free… or at least not all of the time! But we do recommend finding ways to give back and serve others. Whether it’s service in your community or offering a fellow entrepreneur some extra help to get rolling, we’re sure you’ll have a happier, more fulfilling and more successful year if you intentionally keep a spirit of generosity.
“It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life!”
The start of a new year brings such a feeling of renewal, courage, and inspiration. Take advantage of that energy and momentum and DREAM BIG!
Don’t settle for goals smaller than your true abilities. Don’t get stuck in limiting beliefs or negative mindsets. And definitely don’t listen to the haters.
Be true to yourself, listen to the dreams, passions, and calls deep in your heart… then take those dreams and join us as we hit the ground running to make them happen!