“You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.” -Jim Rohn

For things to change, we have to change. For life to be different, we need to be different.

How can you make the new year the best year of your life? By making small changes that can radically impact your future!

Picture the passing year as a track you have been running on for the last 12 months. You departed from point A (January) and arrived at point B (December). The reality is that the “New year” will not be new for everyone – only for those who choose make it new.

The new year will only be new and exciting if you run on a different track. Example: most people who are fit is because they exercise regularly, they eat healthy and don’t overeat – it’s no mystery. Those who excel in academics pay the price of dedication and determination to see their dreams become a reality.

Following are a few practical ideas to make your new year the best one you’ve ever lived!

1. Manage Your Time

My wife often says that whether you accomplish something or nothing, time still goes by. Time has no respect for our goals…it just keeps ticking. So it is up to us to develop respect for our time so we can accomplish our goals.

Could this be an area of improvement for you this new year? If you could improve how you use your time, how much more could you accomplish?

You’ll never meet an achiever who has no respect for time. Conversely, you’ll never meet anyone who achieves great things while mismanaging their time.

2. Reflect and Plan

Typically, I dedicate the month of December to reflect on my life during the current year and to start projecting myself into the coming year. Thirty-one days to reflect and to look ahead. I encourage my family to do the same during this month.

On January 1st, my family and I spend a couple of hours writing down our goals and plans of action for the new year. It’s wonderful to see our two daughters involved in this process as they plan for changes and improvements they want to make.

This is a wonderful gift for our children and they can start getting practice in this area very early in life.

I encourage you to take the month of December to reflect over your current year and to prepare for the next. Evaluate how you’ve done in terms of accomplishing the goals you established at the beginning of the year, what habits you need to change, etc.

3. Write Down Your Goals

The moment you write down your goals, you have a greater chance of achieving them!

A written goal is most likely to be achieved than the one that exists only in thought-form. For many people writing down their goals may be an intimidating task. However, something happens when goals are written down.

Writing down your dreams and goals infuse a sense of responsibility, which can be a source of encouragement to see them through.

4. Write Down Your Action Plan

Writing your goals on paper is great! It demonstrates a burning desire to see them become a reality. However, a good intention without an action plan is just that – a good intention.

After determining each goal ask yourself, how can I make it happen? This question will provide you the action plan you need.

5. Follow Up Periodically

The advancement of your goals needs to be assessed periodically so you can measure your progress and determine if you are on target.

If you plan as a family unit I recommend you have a quarterly review meeting of your goals. Make it fun and help each member of the family where help is needed.

6. Stay Accountable

Consider becoming accountable to someone and have the quarterly review meeting over some coffee (or hot tea!) Accountability is vital tool that helps us achieve our goals.

7. Download My Free Goal Setting Tool

I have designed a goal-setting tool to assist you as you work on your goals.

It is designed so you can write your goals, your action plan and follow up on a quarterly basis. It also contains sections where you can manage, track and work on all your tasks.

Write down your deepest aspirations and take action!

Download the Goals Worksheet

Download in Spanish

Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. -Habakkuk 2:2-3