Are you keen to make 2012 your best year yet - making great progress towards your Dream Destination, and enjoying the Journey along the way? If so, there's a very good chance that you've already given some thought to the year ahead.
A recent - very unscientific! - straw poll amongst my friends suggests that many of us do some kind of planning and goal-setting around this time of year. Not everyone is busy setting 'New Years Resolutions' - though many people do enjoy commiting to something fresh and new on January 1st. Others find this is a natural turning point and plan in a more general sense, reflecting on the year that's passed, and setting intentions for what they'd like the New Year to be all about. And then there are those who give the whole NY Resolutions kick a miss - perhaps to avoid disappointment or because the whole idea seems to them to be nonsense. And last, but by no means least, there are those who simply find it unnecessary, as they are planning and goal-setting on a continuous cycle throughout the year - some in a structured way (perhaps a weekly or monthly cycle) and others following a natural flow as a new desire or inspiration strikes. There is no right or wrong answer, it seems. Each of us will find our own way on this.
But this is a blog about setting yourself to Cruise Control, and enjoying effortless success on the Journey of Life! So I invite you to consider this: If you were setting out on a long drive, one likely to involve many twists and turns along the way, would you simply jump in the car and hope for the best, or would you give it some thought before you set off? Would you decide where you were headed (or at least your general direction)? Would you consider the milestones that would let you know you were making progress, and the experiences you'd like to enjoy along the way? Would you make sure your vehicle was road-worthy, well maintained, and full of premium fuel? And what does this suggest for your Journey of Life?
If you would like to set yourself up for effortless success in 2012, I invite you to take a look at the series of short posts I shared here this time last year outlining why goal-setting often doesn’t work – and what does. The same approach applies whether you are setting personal or professional goals, and to individuals, teams and whole businesses! So whatever your focus, you'll find something there which will make a difference.
New Years Resolutions? Not for me.
Make good use of your rear view mirror
Who will you become in 2011? (or 2012 in this case!)
Your Dream Destination is closer than you think
It’s “Blue Monday”. Or is it…?
Finally, I'd like to thank you for being part of my Journey in 2011. I appreciate you taking the time to read what I write, and to share anything that resonates with you with the other wonderful people in your Convoy. And for 2012, I wish you a very Happy New Year. Better said, I wish you everything you would wish for yourself.
"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential." Ellen Goodman
Lovely, post Kate! Thanks for the reminder not to drive so hard.
Posted by: Karen Auld | 01 January 2012 at 03:46 PM
You are so welcome, Karen. I'm glad you found it useful :-) Please consider sharing it with anyone else you think could do with a little 'effortless success' in 2012! x
Posted by: Kate Trafford | 01 January 2012 at 08:51 PM
Happy New Year Kate - I have a wonderful sense of anticipation for 2012 ... the best is yet to come! And surely that must include the mother of all scones at Bents Garden Centre sometime soon?! x
Posted by: Nina Lockwood | 05 January 2012 at 09:06 AM
Happy New Year to you too, Lovely Nina! :-) Would love to get together, so I'll drop you an email (though the Mother of All Scones may be off the menu - 2012 being the year of my journey to Slim, Strong and Sparkling! Watch this space...!) x
Posted by: Kate Trafford | 08 January 2012 at 04:29 PM