This time of year we find ourselves writing down our goals and putting them up on our vision boards. We write sticky notes to paste to our bathroom mirrors and refrigerator doors.

We do all the things we can to keep our goals top-of-mind, and still, we find ourselves getting caught up on the chaos of life, not quite getting the results we desire.

Create an action-plan

Anyone can write down a goal. Putting action and a process behind that goal is what trips us up. Activating yourself requires you to be honest with how you spend your time and what you’re willing to sacrifice to make your goals become a reality.

Now, every year before I write down my financial or career goals, I begin with self-improvement.

Form good habits

I start by creating a schedule to form good habits and replace bad ones. I list my areas of improvement within my faith, family, and relationships. Then I create a plan to work on those areas each day.

Stop comparing

Be careful with comparison! I’ve been held back waaaay too many times by comparing my progress to the progress of those with similar skills or within the same industry. But, here’s what I’ve learned.

I’m not them!

They have their audience and people who connect with them and I have mine. I have you. My message and their message isn’t the same.

So, while you’re reaching your goals and planning what you want your year to look like, I am challenging you to have a narrow focus – extremely narrow focus – to reach your goals.

Stay focused

Keep your head focused only on the things that work for you and be consistent in doing that. When you want to tweak or adjust, do it because it’s what you believe will work to reach your goal, not because you saw something while scrolling and decided to shift abruptly.

Everything you’ve planned will fall right into place once you are balanced from within and focus only on what inspires and drives you.

Wishing you all a Happy and Productive New Year!