5 tips to get your year back on track!
We are now halfway through the year. What were the key changes you had in mind for this year? Where do you stand right now? From July to December, what are the big calls you want to make?
Taking yourself to the next phase of your life requires energy;
- energy to realise you may not be in a great spot
- energy to assess how you will free yourself
- energy to put a plan together
- and finally, energy to execute the plan.
To sustain this level of energy, some solid motivation is needed! It's like reaching the top of a mountain you've been climbing for days - your energy fills up exponentially, and gives you a deep sense of accomplishment. We want you to feel on top of that mountain come December!
All walks of life are different, and climbing the Himalayas in your flip flops may be a challenge, which is why I want to equip you.
5 tips to help you get back on track
I dare you to put these into action...
1. Assess your current situation
You likely have some idea of where you want to be by the end of the year, right? If not, you may want to close your eyes and think about what you would love to celebrate in six months.
Once you've got it figured out, you're going to want to know where are you right now. Finding where you are is critical in being able to assess your next step.
- What achievements are you the proudest of since January?
- What has distracted you recently from achieving what you wanted?
- What have you achieved that was unexpected?
- When did you feel things were not going as expected?
- What is your overall level of energy right now: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually?
Look at your situation in the eyes: you are your life's own maker, and your current situation is the results of actions that you have either taken or not. Now that you are clear on where you are, let’s refine our plan.
2. Adjust your plan - know what you want
“When you know what you want and you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to get it” - Jim Rohn
A few months ago, I was reflecting on the progress of my own coaching practice. Becoming successful for a coach takes a lot of skills. You need to be a master listener and a powerful communicator. For me, doing both simultaneously is a challenge. I quickly came back to this central question - how badly do you want to become one of the best coaches? Do you really want it? If you only casually want it, you will simply become a casualty.
So my question to you is this - what do you want to achieve by December? Seriously. What do you want to achieve within the next six months? Take a minute to obtain some clarity. Once you are clear on what you want, go back to point one and assess your current situation. You are now looking at the full map, from where you are to where you want to be.
Here is the trick: what appears to be complicated may become easy, and what seems easy may not be. While your mind can elaborate multiple statistics and plan to get there, the only answer is to cut to the chase and take action!
3. Get into action
“Impossible only exists if you never start” - Alex Kergall
This article is not meant to be a bedtime story. The reason you are reading this article is that you need a kick to get back on track. There is only one way, only one, to get you back on track action. Here are a few elements to get you started:
- Make a conscious decision to do less. What should I stop doing? Declutter your life for the next two weeks and re-focus on what matters most. If you have too much on your plate, it simply means that you have given more 'yes's' than 'no's'. It is time to re-balance your life and take courageous steps. Time to stop doing things that you still have no clue why you are even doing them!
- Focus on the now. When you walk an unfamiliar path, you look at each step you take. You want to make sure you are progressing safely. Here is another way to look at it - if you give your undivided attention to what you do, this translates into a stronger future. On the opposite, if you are 50% in the present moment, and the other 50%, is wandering in the past and the future, then you will likely obtain 50% of what you wanted. Stay present, stay focused!
- Baby steps. It all starts with one action (that you will take after finishing this article!). You want to create a new reality.
4. Assess your progress
Assessing your progress helps you evaluate the energy needed to achieve what you have in mind.
If you want to run your marathon under four hours, you must check your time regularly to assess if you are ok. If you want to attend an important meeting at 9am tomorrow, you need to check many parameters to make it happen on time. If you want to achieve what you have in mind by the end of 2019, you must have checkpoints along the way.
This could take the form of weekly conversations with someone who keeps you accountable and supports you. You may aim for a goal with someone else, so you get some company on the road. You may write daily in your journal how things are moving and actions taken.
5. The ultimate step - hire a coach
Now, if you are damn serious about what you want, and you are playing big, then you need to be equipped. The right coach for you will be a game changer. The reason is simple - you have blind spots. Your coach will notice them and help you to overcome your excuses, or maybe the fears that you may hold. This is why successful people hire a coach.