As I write to you, we have officially closed out the first week of 2021. I hope that you can look back with a sense of accomplishment over this first week. If not, then I hope you will take time to revisit your goals, make a plan, and set the course for making your vision a reality in the days to come. You have to understand that you do not create a great year just because of excitement, resolutions and good intentions. If you want 2021 to be different for you, then you must understand that action is the only thing that will produce different outcomes for you this year. I want to share a few insights with you on how to set the course for success in 2021. If you will apply these principles, I believe that you can position yourself for greater success and have one of the greatest years of your life.
You have to take time to write down your goals. Over the years, I have heard so many people tell me that they have their goals in their head. While I will not argue with you for having your goals in your head, I need you to take it a step further and write your goals down. What I have discovered is that people often commit things to memory short-term. However, what we commit to paper we are much more likely to make a priority in our lives. For decades now, I have taken time every single year to write down my goals. As I shared on my podcast last week, you need to be very clear about the goals that you are setting. You need to set specific, measurable and time-driven goals if you want to be successful. In other words, you cannot just say I want to lose weight in 2021. No, maybe you want to lose 5 pounds by March 30, 2021. Do you see the difference? You have given yourself a clear time table for when you want to see your goal accomplished. Also, do not write any more than three to five goals down. Sometimes we are unrealistic in our goal setting. If you can focus on three to five things this year, you will be much more productive than trying to focus on twenty things. So write down your goals and be specific about what you want to accomplish in 2021.
You need to make up your mind that 2021 is going to be different year for you. So you have taken the time to write down your goals and get clear about your vision. However, you also have to make up your mind about what you really want in 2021. If you want 2021 to be different, then you must develop a different mindset. I truly believe that your paradigm determines the possibilities of your life. More importantly, your belief system establishes the boundaries of your life. I have watched people set resolutions over the years and start the year with this great excitement. A new year brings with it a euphoric feeling. However, after a couple of weeks the excitement dies down and the euphoric feeling vanishes. Then most people return to business as usual. You will never manifest what your mind has not committed to. If you will take the time to develop your mind, then you can manifest your greatest desires. However, neglect of the mind will always rob you of manifestation. So take the time to get your mind right and nothing will be impossible to you. Getting your mind right means identifying patterns, disrupting cycles and addressing toxic thoughts that keep you in cycles of frustration and failure. If you will dare to work on your mind, then you can win in your moments.
You need to establish strong accountability. If you want to make 2021 your greatest year ever, then you need to get some accountability in your life. Accountability is the great bridge between potential and dream fulfillment. Most people never accomplish their goals because they do not know how to convert potential into power. Therefore, they stop short of their goals, limit their capacity and abort greatness in their lives. Accountability shortens the distance to success through mentorship, coaching and advisory. I discovered many years ago that one is not a large enough number to achieve success. On the other hand, when I enlisted the help of mentors and advisors I found myself making progress, executing goals and realizing my dreams. Accountability flattens the learning curve. It allows you to learn through the experiences of seasoned leaders that have already been where you are trying to go. In addition, accountability is important because it challenges mediocrity and breaks cycles of procrastination. Accountability is important because you know that you will to have give an account for how you are using your time and how productive you have been. This year enlist the help of accountability partners to help you advance your vision and accomplish your goals.
You will not start this year off right without tactics. Everything I have shared with you up until this point is wonderful. However, if you want to set the course for success in 2021 you need more than goals and accountability. In order to start this year off right you need tactics. According to The Oxford Dictionary, a tactic is an or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end. In other words, tactics are the plans that propel your goals forward. So it is not enough to just write down your goals. Tactics are the action steps that you must take to actualize your goals. Tactics empower you to take strategic action on your goals and make them a reality. Essentially, this means that every single day there is some action that you must take to advance your vision and manifest your goals. Your vision is not something you can pursue occasionally but you must act on it consistently. How will you organize the operations of your life to optimize your results? Your answer to this question will determine your success in 2021 and beyond. For more than twenty years, I have started the year off right because I have always entered the year with clear tactics. Those tactics have defined my priorities, set my schedule and shaped my focus. More importantly, those tactics have consistently empowered me to produce results. Tactics are the game plans that create a winning life!