Goals: One Thing You Must Know

January 02, 2014

Shar McBee

Leadership with a Twist of Yoga

New Year's is a turning point. The time of darkness is past. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, it is the time when light begins to return. It is time to discard the old and introduce the new.

As the saying goes: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This is a time to plan your future. But first, there is one thing you need to know about goals.

Whatever goals you set for yourself this year: Don't use your goals to beat yourself up. To actually accomplish them this time: Make goals that you WANT to do. (Not just those that you SHOULD do.)

For instance, if your goal is weight loss, I know you don’t WANT to diet, but you may WANT to feel great in your good suit. You may even want to eat more vegetables. Focus on what you WANT to do and it will be easier.

With this method, I quit coffee. I posted a note on my refrigerator that said, “Wake up feeling rested. Real energy, not jumpy.” After years of trying to quit because I should, I finally focused on what I wanted, and it worked fantastically.

That's my advice for a Happy New Year!

Shar McBee, author of "To Lead is to Serve"