Start Thinking NOW About How You Will Rock 2011!

Written by - 20 Comments
Categories: self improvement

It’s a little scary for me to think that there are a mere 3 weeks left in 2010.

One question: Where did the year go?

January 1st seems to sneak up on us every year, and every year we madly try to figure out what our resolutions will be and what we’re going to accomplish in the coming year. Wouldn’t it be nice to just hit the ground running?

You can! Start thinking now about what you want to accomplish next year. Is it losing a few pounds? Taking a course? Learning a new language? Reading a book a month for the whole year?

Whatever you decide there are a few things you can do to get ahead of the game and get 2011 off to an organized and speedy start.

1. Make your list. In my opinion, this is the fun part. There are no limits, no constraints as to what goes on your initial list. Think you might like to minimize and simplify your home? Add it. Always thought it would be fun to start your own blog? Write it down. Whatever you think you want to accomplish in 2011, write it down.

2. Learn. With your list at hand, start learning all you can on each subject. This is such an important step yet so many people neglect to take the time to do it, if you omit this step you could be setting yourself up to fail. While “taking up photography” might sound like a great idea now, but when you find out you need to wake before the sun and head out at dusk just to get the best lighting, you might not be as excited. It’s best to know what you’re getting into and what’s involved before investing a lot of time or money in a resolution.

3. Be realistic. Ask yourself a few questions and be as honest and true about your answers as you can be. Do you really want to do this, or does someone else think this is a great idea? Can you really accomplish it this year? Think ahead a couple of months or fast forward towards the middle of summer and are you still able to make it happen? Being honest at this point of the process will save you a lot of heart ache down the line.

4. Get your resources. It’s inevitable, you will need things along the way to help you succeed. Are they people, materials, or a combination of both? Where will you get them from? Can you get them now so you’re ready to hit the ground running? Contact the people on your list and see if they are willing to be a mentor, find out how much time they can dedicate to you.

5. Work as a team. There are certain things I need help with in terms of staying focused, motivated and accountable. If you’re similar to me consider recruiting others to join you. Do you want to walk everyday? Try asking your neighbours, or fellow dog owners in your neighborhood if there is a time convenient for all of you to get out and walk together. Want to cook at home more instead of eating out? Try getting a friend in on the deal, one who is perhaps as kitchen inept as you are, and start a cooking challenge. Be honest with yourself, if you need help staying on track ask for it.

6. † What are you willing to give up? When you say yes to one thing you are saying no to another. If you want to walk in the evenings are you ready to give up chilling in front of the TV or meeting your friend for coffee after work? If you want to lose weight are you willing to give up eating out or sitting with a bag of chips in front of the TV? There are some trade-offs that you need to make in order to be successful. Are you willing to make these sacrifices?

7. Don’t lie to yourself. This has been the common theme throughout this post. If you’ve been honest with yourself up to this point, well done! You likely now have a list of resolutions that are realistic and that you can succeed at. If you haven’t been so honest I urge you to go back through your list and this time be completely honest with yourself. It will do you no good to lie or sugar coat anything. Be honest, be real and you’ll be a lot more likely to succeed.

Those are just some ideas on how you can start thinking now on how you will rock 2011!

Have you started thinking about your goals for the new year? Do you have any other tips on getting a head start on 2011?

Sherri writes at Zen Family Habits, a blog celebrating all things family. Sherri also writes on personal development at Serene Journey, a blog dedicated to sharing simple tips to enjoy life

Don’t Forget To Follow PickTheBrain on Twitter!

Related Articles:

11 Tips To Reignite Your Resolutions

Brain Switch: How To Creatively Keep Your Fitness Resolutions

Want to feel great every single week? NOW YOU CAN!

Tags: , , , , ,

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention Start Thinking NOW About How You Will Rock 2011! | PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement -- Topsy.com

  • http://www.2knowmyself.com Farouk

    this post came i the right time
    i have biiig plans
    thank uuuu so much :) )

  • Pingback: Start Thinking NOW About How You Will Rock 2011! | Lumpuckeroo | Self Improvement - Overcoming Lumpuckeroo

  • http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net Sherri

    Hi Farouk,
    I’m glad you enjoyed it! Biiig plans are awesome. Wishing you a successful 2011.
    Sherri

  • http://www.upgradereality.com Diggy

    Hey Sherri!
    Nice post!

    For me the year didn’t go fast though, I learned and did a huge amount, and I’m happy with it all!

    One thing I can suggest is getting a whiteboard on which you write long term, medium term and short term goals.

    If you have this in your room/office, you can see it daily and you can remember your goals throughout the year instead of forgetting them after 3 weeks:)

    CHeers!

  • http://www.howtomingle.com/blog/ Parker Lee

    i think my biggest problem is being realistic. i have the biggest problem over overshooting then undershooting.

    i shoot big, realize it can’t be done, then undershoot setting the bar way, way too low. where is that damn middle :(

    anyway, it’s a constant struggle being me, one that i’m getting better by the monthly.

    congrats on zen fam habits sherri (:

  • http://www.freedomeducation.ca Steve Martile

    I love number 6!!

    What are you willing to give up? What could you give up? When?

    My personal experience has taught me that the more we let go of being right, being attached and holding on to the relationships and material things we “think” we need to have in our life, the faster and easier it is to transition and make greater breakthroughs in our life.

    Surrender, let go.

  • http://isleofview.net/ Jodi

    Hi Sherri,

    Love your work!

    I think you should re-post this article in March, or July or October. It’s such a great exercise to make a part of life year round. I like Diggy’s idea of using a whiteboard to capture your goals moment by moment. I would add to use the board as a collage– adding photos and figures and words that exemplify what you hope to manifest for yourself throughout the year.

    All the best, Jodi

  • Pingback: How Will You Rock 2011?

  • http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net Sherri

    Hi Diggy! Love the idea of the white board. I think that would really help people keep their goals at the forefront of their mind year round. Thanks for your comment and great suggestion!

    Hi Parker! Thank you so much for your kind words.:) Yes, I think being realistic is the toughest part for everyone when it comes to New Year resolutions. We tend to get really motivated at the start of a new year and think we can do *everything* and, like you, overshoot. By taking time to slow down and simply think about what we want to do and what that actually involves we’re more likely to find that elusive middle ground. Best of luck for 2011!

    Hi Steve, Yes number 6 is key. It’s easy to think about all the things you want to do and accomplish throughout the coming year but I’m sure if you asked anyone they’d tell you “I don’t have time”. There does have to be give and take and keeping that in mind as you set your goals for the coming year will be very helpful.

    Hi Jodi, Thank you! I couldn’t agree more. We get so focused on our goals around this time of year and, like Diggy mentioned, most of us forget about them around the thrid week of January :) I also like how you added to Diggy’s idea with the collage that’s great! thank you.

  • http://www.chinesetranslationpro.com/ Chinese Translation

    Don’t lie to yourself, strong words. Honesty is the only way to achieve your goals, or at least to know why you had failed.

  • http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net Sherri

    I couldn’t agree more!:)

  • http://www.goal-buddy.com Sasha Berson

    Sherri, great post and very timely. I love the “Be realistic” part. I learned to stick to my goals and move forward until achieved unless there is a change in life’s priorities. However, I often underestimate the amount of time accomplishing something may take.
    Also, I know that every goal accomplishment comes with a price, but sometimes underestimate what it will take to hit the mark. Still learning how to perfect, if there is such thing, goal accomplishment process.

    Diggy, I tried just about everything to keep my goals in front of me, paper, Word and Excel files, finally websites (I needed reminders and way to set up action plans), but I never thought of whiteboard. Elegant and simple.

    After I tried everything and didn’t find a system that would be simple yet do everything I wanted it to, I went on to create my own.

    It works based on some of the principles in this article (particularly getting someone to help you track progress and stay motivated). I would love to get some feedback from you on the site, http://www.goal-buddy.com. Your opinions would mean the world to me. Thanks

  • http://www.achieveyoursuccess.com Wanna be Successful?

    Very True.
    As this year comes, you need to be prepared. Physically as well as mentally.
    That’s the way of achievers. You sacrifice something, but the result is definitely worth it!

    The mind has no limits. And if your thoughts are material, then anything you achieve doesn’t have limits either! Really, the limits are just within yourself.

    Another useful tip would be: don’t rape your mind off, meaning spare time to relax, as it increases your productivity.

  • http://redefiningless.wordpress.com/ Beverly

    I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I’m ready to get this party started. Bring on 2011!

  • http://www.andrzejkowasz.com/resources.htm Andrzej

    Hi Sherri!
    Very nice post (as always ;) , but about 6th point, I would add. “And if not, then what would I have to do to make myself willing”. Very often people be willing to cross out things just becouse they made a list, that they find to be too big.

    cheers,

  • http://livingthebalancedlife.com Living the Balanced Life

    Sherri,
    Great guideline for getting ready for next year. This year has been pretty tough, although a great learning experience for me, and I am looking forward to moving ahead and not just treading water!
    Bernice
    http://livingthebalancedlife.com/2010/how-to-lose-the-negativity/

  • Riffkir

    Thanks for the inspiration. 2010 has been a traumatic year for me and I have been thinking that 2011 can be a new start. This has really focussed my thoughts and I have now started with my list. Like point 7 – I do this all the time and really what is the point…if I am not true to myself how am I going to move forward.

  • honey lambert

    This really something to think about im starting my list tonight! thanks

  • Pingback: Weekend Reads 1.08.11 | Not Just Cute