Happy New Year!

2010 is here! Are you as excited as I am for another new year? I thought 2009 was an incredible year, and am moving into this year with enthusiasm and clarity.

Have you taken some quiet time to reflect upon 2009 (your learnings, accomplishments, and areas to develop)? Now is a great time to get clarity on your goals for this year. Like many others, I have discovered that when I set goals for various areas of my life (personal, business, health, financial, relationship, etc.) I am more successful and of course create more balance. Often a goal crosses several life areas.

Here are my favorite approaches to goal setting for success:

· Create goals for each area of my life

· Write the goals down (I have them in my office, on cards in my planner and purse, and post in areas I will see them regularly) and chunk down the action steps into manageable and doable actions (with timelines)

· Ask for help where and when I need it (and extend my help to others)

· Share with others (I let my mastermind and support system know my goals)

· Record successes in my “Success File”

· Celebrate movement towards and achievement on goals

· Review them regularly

I love the exercise of writing next years date so in this example I would write the following at the top of the page:

On January 4, 2010, I am enjoying a celebration of:

(And I list what I intend to be celebrating one year from today)

Let’s make it a great year!

101 ways to stay motivated in 2010

As a consultant and speaker, I often hear from clients that New Year resolutions are a challenge to develop and achieve. A frequent reason is the difficult in staying motivated and connected to the goal or resolution. My colleague Debra Kasowski and I have co-authored an eBook on this very topic. We are at the start of a New Year, a perfect time to reflect on the lessons and learnings from 2009, and you intentions and dreams for 2010. As you go into the new year, think big and dream big, you will be surprised at what ideas emerge. Here are 10 of the 101 ways to stay motivated. Stay tuned for more next week:

1. STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Participate in a new sporting activity. Make a phone call that you have been putting off. Ask for what you want as if you expect to get it.

2. SET DREAM GOALS

What are your biggest dreams? Write them down on 3 x 5 inch index cards. Your goals must be specific to you, be able to be measured, achievable, realistic, and have a time frame in which you must achieve your goal. Review them 2-3 times per day. Your Goals can be - Daily, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly, 3-5 years, or even 10 years.

3. CHUNK IT DOWN

What are 5 things you can do today to get closer to reaching your dream? Is it a phone call? Is it asking for what you want? Write down the tasks that need to be completed in order to reach your goal.

4. PLAN YOUR DAY

Write out a list of the things you want to accomplish each day. Make sure it is realistic. Don’t forget to allow for travel, meals, and sleep, of course!

5. CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES

Ensure that you acknowledge even the smallest accomplishments. Little accomplishments quickly add up to big results. Everything you achieve influences who you are and your relationships. Watch your favourite TV program or play a board game. Do a happy dance. Give a toast to yourself.

6. EXERCISE REGULARLY

Go to the gym for a workout or go for a brisk walk. Not only will you will feel refreshed and energized, you will look and feel fabulous!

Walk - Park farther away from the building or your office. Take the stairs, and look forward to fitting in a short walk at lunch or break.

7. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE GO-GETTERS

The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on how you perceive your life. Remember your thoughts affect your feelings and in turn affect your actions. They usually set goals for achievement. Why not set some together?

8. SCHEDULE SOME ME TIME

It is so important to relax and rejuvenate in order to live up to your fullest potential. When you allow time for yourself, you are better able to share yourself with others. Make appointment with yourself today.

9. KEEP A JOURNAL

Discover how much you have learned from your experiences by writing down the events in your life, how you handled different situations, what went well, and points to remember for the next time the event occurs. Learn from mistakes and move forward.

10. CRANK UP THE TUNES

Nothing can get you more motivated that a song that has you dancing and singing. Pick out mood-busting material!