2013? Already??

Sounds super sci-fi, doesn’t it? When I was younger I just knew that by 2013 I’d be wearing metallic jumpsuits and have a maid just like Rosie on the Jetsons. And while I’ve been known to rock a jumpsuit on occasion, I’m still waiting for Rosie to dispense my breakfast in the form of a pill. Oh well, maybe next year.

But while I wait for Rosie, I’ll get on with it and see what 2013 has to offer. There’s something inspiring about the start of a new year and the possibility it holds. It’s my belief that we create our lives through our thoughts and the beginning of the year gives me a chance to think about what I want. That being said, for me, making New Years Resolutions is a waste of time. For years I would be overly ambitious and say “I’m going to the gym 6 times a week, stop eating sugar, not procrastinate, play the guitar, write a screenplay, save more money and go to India. Some of these I would do, but most I didn’t. After repeating this cycle for years, I finally figured out a few years back how to get the most success from my resolutions.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Pick 5 Things

I can come up with 2103 things that I want to do, but that gets overwhelming. After reading a book called Harmonic Wealth years ago, I began breaking things down into 5 areas; financial, relational, mental, physical and spiritual. I then choose one goal in each area.

2. Make Them Believable

Aim high, but be real. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure. You have to believe that you can achieve it. And focus on what you want – not what you don’t want.

3. Write Out What Success Means to You

Easy enough, but this can be a hard step. Often we use other peoples definition of success. Unless that definition lines up with yours; forget about it. Use what works for you.

4. Break It Down

Listen, if I haven’t been to the gym in 6 months chances are I’m not going to go 4 times a week. Ain’t happening. A more realistic approach is to say I’ll work out once a week. Totally doable and after a few weeks of working out once, it will be easy to shift to twice and then three times. Done.

5. Make a Vision Board

After all this is complete, I create a vision board. Pictures and words, things that are important to me and support what I want. For an awesome guide on how to create a vision board check out this video guide from our friend Cynthia Occelli. I don’t worry about how any of this will happen. I simply put it out into the universe – create a visual reminder of what’s important to me and what I want to focus on in life. Then I look at it every day.

6. Stay Focused & Get Out There and Live

Energy flows where attention goes. So think about it often, make sure your actions align with your goals, put yourself in the path of what you want and watch it come.

Here’s to a great 2013.