Reaching for the top

At the dawn of every new year especially the global year, there is the phrase that is often heard, “My new year resolution(s)”. It is interesting to know that most of us start out with wanting our new year to be better than the last without really putting in a conscious effort to see our resolution(s) sail through. Most often, our resolution(s) remain on the level of wishful thinking.

Someone once explained that wishful thinking remained as they were unless actual goals were set in line with the results we wanted to see. Goals are not dreams or wishes that may never be actualised: they are actual reliable projections with designated timelines.

The first few days of a new year should be a time we firm up goals which we will be consciously and actively putting efforts to make sure they become reality. The span of a year would definitely come up with obstacles to try to prevent us from achieving our set goals but we must find it within ourselves to resist the urge to give up. It is quite natural to want to travel the road of least resistance when faced with such but at moments like this, we will simply remind ourselves about our destination and the goals we have written. We must force our minds to paint a picture of our desired end where we are able to see what the end of our new year looks like in our mind’s eyes.

Getting to our destination would be hopeless without our navigation tools. A journey is only enjoyable when one knows how to get to the required destination. In his book “GOALS!”, Brian Tracy wrote

“You are responsible for achieving certain outputs – the quality and quantity of the work that you produce and the results you are expected to get.”

It is therefore essential that each of us have a road map for our lives especially as the year is concerned.

Some of the recommended tools for getting us to our desired destination are:

  • An understanding of who we are
  • Teaching ourselves to like who we are
  • Keeping a positive attitude

An understanding of who we are is referred to as self-discovery while teaching ourselves to like who we are is a process of building our self-esteem. These first two tools greatly influence our attitude in whatever situation we find ourselves.

In developing these navigation tools, we will improve our knowledge base and thereby also increase our understanding so much that we begin to see every problem as coming along with its own solution in one package.

It is important to note that we have the potential to be change agents, problem solvers and solution providers as long as we build the capacity to tackle any obstacle or problem that comes our way in the course of the year.

Keep reaching for the top as you firm up your goals, navigation tools and building capacity in your new year.

It’s a great year! 

Happy New Year! (Birthday, Anniversary, Calendar New Year)