As we approach the end of another year, as you look back, how would you rate the progress you made toward the accomplishment of your goals and dreams?  Be honest and give yourself a score between 1 and 10, with 1 being that you accomplished nothing of what you set out to do, and 10 being that you achieved everything on your goal list.  Then ask yourself how that number makes you feel.  Is the score you gave yourself encouraging or disappointing?

Now, let’s take a moment to shift your mindset.  While the number you gave yourself does communicate the progress you made toward achieving your goals, having that number does not give you the need or right to beat yourself up.  At this point, you just need to recognize that it is what it is and not judge yourself for what you have, or haven’t, achieved.

Your focus needs to be not on self-condemnation, but in asking yourself:

What am I going to do differently next year?

As you approach the new year, I encourage you to take the time to be intentional about how you approach your life and ask yourself some very important and powerful questions:

  1. Do I have a crystal clear purpose for my life and am I excited and passionate about achieving it?
  2. Over the last 12 months, what has really worked well for me?  Why has it worked well?
  3. Over the last 12 months, what has NOT worked well for me?  Why hasn’t it worked well?
  4. What do I need to do differently in order to create a more positive outcome next year?
  5. Where do I need help to get myself on the right track and get both excited and intentional about achieving my dreams?

Remember, clarity is power, and intentionality is clarity in action.