Reflecting On The Past Year

December tends to be a time of self-reflection where we look back on the year that has passed and evaluate our accomplishments, successes, and failures. Many of us set New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of the year, and are now coming to the realization that some things we’d set out to achieve have unfortunately not happened.

Unmet goals can leave you feeling defeated and discouraged, and it is challenging to feel inspired to set new goals. So how do we deal with this disappointment? I wanted to offer some tips to recovering from unmet targets, and starting fresh.

 

1. Reflect on each unmet goal.
   • Evaluate honestly why it was not accomplished. Was something standing in your way? Was it beyond your control? Was it unrealistic? Understanding where it went wrong is the first step.
2. Think about what you could have done differently.
   • Is there anything you could have done differently in order to achieve your goals? If so, learn from your mistakes so they don’t happen again moving forward.
3. Take ownership.
   • Accept that you did not accomplish what you set out to do. The sooner you can be at peace with not attaining every goal you set, the sooner you can create new ones and start fresh.
4. Try again!
   • Learn from your mistakes the past year and set new goals that you are ready to accomplish in 2015. Feel inspired by what you have accomplished in the past, and go from there!

 

While we may not always be motivated to set goals and challenge ourselves to do better, it is one of the simplest and most important ways to ensure we’re moving forward in life and becoming the best possible version of ourselves! After all, don’t

There will always be disappointments and discouragements, but as baseball legend Babe Ruth once said, “never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” So set goals and do your very best to achieve them! And remember, setting goals is the first step, figuring out how you are going to achieve them is the second step. After all, you wouldn’t plan on going to a destination without mapping out how you are going to get there.

How do you face the goals you haven’t met? What inspires you to set new goals or try accomplishing old ones when a new year starts? Share your experiences with me in the comments section below!

Don’t Just Dream It – Make It Real

We can be leaders of countries, become heroes, cure disease, clean the environment or eliminate violence… The possibilities are limitless. I am talking, of course, about dreams.

Dreams are the only place and time when we can be whatever we want to be. As bizarre as the notion may sound, dreams can keep us grounded in reality. We dream to be generous, giving, thankful, grateful. We dream of good family values, so that we instill them in our children. Dream of becoming the person you want to be, and how to can help those around you. We can change the world and make it what we want it to be.

If you don’t dream of higher aspirations, you may end up never finding true happiness – happiness that only YOU can define. However, the challenge lies not in finding a dream, but making your dream a reality. Where does one begin? As the owner of an EAP company, not only have I made one of my dreams come true, but we help individuals everyday realize their goals and help them obtain them.  I’d like to share with you a few tips to help get you started on the path of making your dream come true.

1. Write your dream down. Once it is in writing we are 70% more likely to act on it. Post it on your fridge or keep a journal where you regularly update your progress.

2. Start working towards it. Don’t dive in head first, or you may be disappointed by the immediate lack of results. As with most things, it’s important to take small steps. Think about what steps will you take towards making your dream come true. You might need to take courses, conduct some research, or meet with like-minded individuals. It’s simple to keep your dream in your head; the challenge lies in taking the steps to make it happen.

3. Don’t give up.  Accept that there will be hurdles along the way, and some days the only thing that will be left to drive you towards your dream is your sheer dedication to it. It is imperative that you work through these difficult days to reach your ultimate goal.

Working towards your dream will be challenging, but make that part of the journey. Keep in mind that there is a difference between dreams and fantasy. Fantasy looks good on movie screens and is great for a momentary bit of creative fun, but dreams are the ones that give fuel to our everyday lives.

Do you know what your dream is? Do you know someone who has accomplished their dream and if so, what steps did they take to reach their goal? I look forward to discussing your dreams in the comments below.