10 Things to Do Before the Start of 2013

Hi guys

Today is  New Year’s Eve, so that means you still have time to prepare mentally for the start of a new year.  Remember start the new year positively and optimistically!

Before the start of 2013, here are some things you should do

1)    Decide where you will Ring in the New Year and with whomJ. Seriously, this simple decision will save you a lot of stress in the last moments of 2012.

2)    Ensure you have money on your phone, gas in your car…and a spare tire…self explanatory but important …believe me!

3)    Think about and then write out your SMART Goals for 2013. Stick them in various places at your home and office so you will constantly be reminded of them. Share your SMART Goals with others.

4)     Start putting in place, the steps needed to make your SMART goal or goals a reality…pick up an application form, buy a book, buy exercise outfits, select an exercise route or find an exercise partner.

5)    Try to complete as many activities on your TO Do List as possible. The less things you have on your TO DO List, the less stressed you will feel on Tuesday 01^st, 2013.

6)    Do your laundry, wash your car and clean your house. Knowing that these ‘pesky’ tasks are completed will work wonders on your mind and body and will help to set the tone for the New Year.

7)    De-clutter something - your hand bag, your computer, your phone or your closet …a more organized space leads to a more organized mind.

8)    Let go of the Past. Make peace with yourself and with others…often all it takes is a prayer and/or a phone call.

9)    Give your partner a kiss and a hug and say ‘I love you.’ Not only will that help you, it will help your relationship and both of you will benefit.

10)                       Take a walk on the beach or if you don’t have a beach near you, somewhere quiet and beautiful, and reflect on the past year. Give thanks for God’s grace and mercies. You are still here. 

May you have a healthy and prosperous 2013. See you Next Year!

SMART Goals NOT Resolutions for 2012!

Season’s Greetings everyone!

Wow it’s been almost a month since my last post. I have been super busy but that is certainly no excuse for me failing to post blogs regularly. I promise to do better in 2012. In fact that will be one of my goals. I will post at least one blog entry per week in 2012. I will also increase circulation and readership of this blog by 20 percent. Are these SMART Goals?

I set a number of SMART goals for myself for 2011, one of which was to train for and run the 5k for Anguilla’s Race against Aids. Guys, I did it! In fact, I won the first place prize in my age category. It really is irrelevant that I was the only female running in that age category J ...the point is I set a goal and I achieved it and won a trophy on top of that. It is a great feeling to accomplish a goal.

So there are about 15 days remaining in the 2011 year. I know many of you are probably thinking about and writing out your New Year’s resolutions. The thing is-you know as well as I do that resolutions seldom work. That resolution to lose weight, to further your education, to increase your savings, to buy a piece of land....is nothing more than a wish list. Instead, let’s focus our energies this year on creating SMART goals for 2012.

So what is a SMART Goal? A SMART Goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.  Let us look at a specific example – To get fit in 2011. A SMART goal would be

Specific – We all have a much better chance of achieving a specific goal than a general goal. For e.g. a general goal would be, “Get in shape.” But a specific goal would say, “Join a gym and workout 3 days a week” or eat a healthy fish meal at least 4 days a week.

Measurable – Establish criteria for measuring progress towards your goals...maybe it can be a downward change in numbers on your scale.

Attainable - You can attain almost any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely, establish the right attitude and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps.

Realistic - To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. If you are unable or unwilling to put in the effort and time to lose 50 pounds, don’t set this goal. Instead select goals which you truly believe you can achieve.

Timely –This is perhaps one of my biggest drivers – setting a time frame for what I want to achieve. A timeframe creates a sense of urgency. When I started running a year ago – I was aware of the exact date of the Race against Aids. I knew my timeframe. Without that time frame, many days I may have stayed home in bed rather than exercise at 5:30am, three days a week. Setting time frames throughout the year may be helpful. State clearly, what you want to accomplish by for example, March, June, September, and December 2012?

So, I am really happy with what I have accomplished in 2011 and I am already writing my SMART goals for 2012. For example, I am going to train three days a week and by November 2012 I will be able to comfortably run an 8k. Why - because I want to beat the lady with the baby in the stroller next year! I am not going to share my other goals with you yet but do stay tuned to this blog for new developments.

I would like to encourage all of you to set SMART Goals for 2012. In fact send me an email at shellecia.brooks@gmail.com or post a comment on my blog and share your goal. It has been proven that persons who share goals are often more successful in achieving them.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all of you!! Continue to Say Yes to Today and Set your SMART Goals for 2012 now!