By Denise Michaels

The holidays are over and as a business owner you’ve probably ramped up to full speed again.  Here’s a way to get your new year off to a great start. Light a few candles or start a fire in the fireplace.  As the flames magically leap skyward, it’s a great time to gently review how you did in 2011.

It’s also a good time to chuck the “resolutions” you’ve already broken and get clear about some real goals you can live with and accomplish in 2012.

Every year, I take an afternoon to sit down someplace opulent to write. Usually its a gorgeous hotel lobby – after all, it’s a good idea to get comfortable with financial prosperity. I write my goals for the next year.  I’ve been doing this ritual annually for decades.  If you follow a few guidelines when setting your goals you’ll be more likely to succeed and enjoy your accomplishments.

1.    Write Down Your Goals

There is a sense of commitment that happens when you write your goals.  Use it to help you move forward in the right direction.  By writing down your goals you take them seriously. They have a more important place in your life.  If you decide a goal no longer suits you or isn’t right for you, you can always toss it out.

 2.      Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals

That stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Risky and  Time-bound.  S.M.A.R.T. goals let you know when you’ve arrived.  Vague goals like, “I want to be a better person” can be fuzzy and unclear.  How do you know when you’ve arrived?  Set goals where there’s a point where you can say “Yes! I did it!” and celebrate your success

3.      Have a Passion or Burning Desire

Experts say when you have a big enough “why” you’ll figure out the “how” to accomplish your goals.  If you have a big goal, that “burning desire” Napoleon Hill talks about in “Think and Grow Rich” helps.  Your passion will keep you motivated when others say, “no.”  Discover your passion and get going!

4.    Set Goals in Alignment with Your Core Values

If your goals are out of alignment with your core values either: a) you won’t achieve the goal, or, b) you won’t be very happy once you get there.  This means know your core values.  Think about why you get out of bed in the morning and who and what you love.  Don’t set goals meant to satisfy or impress others. Satisfy yourself.

5.      Determine Your Reward Before Reaching Your Goal

Most people don’t reward themselves when they meet their goal.  They say the accomplishment is enough of a reward.  Planning a reward makes the victory sweeter.  A reward, big or small, gives you time to take a breather and acknowledge yourself.  Even small rewards like a cup of your favorite fancy-schmancy coffee if you don’t usually splurge can be a nice way to acknowledge yourself.

6.      Don’t be Attached to the Process.  Be Open and Flexible.

John Lennon said, “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.  Our goals should be set in Jello® not in concrete.  That doesn’t mean you should give up.  It means sometimes solutions come to us in unexpected ways.  Don’t be married to certain steps – better, faster, easier ones might be revealed.  Be prepared for miracles.

7.      Visualize Your Goals in Completed Form

Don’t just think OF your goals, but think FROM your goals.  That means visualize your goals their completed state.  Imagine how you will feel.  Are you happy?  Smiling?  Who are you sharing it with?  What do you see, taste, touch, smell, hear and feel?  Make it so real it’s palpable.  Visioning will help attract you towards your goals.

Another great way to start your 2012 is by attending “Occupy Your Life… NOW!” with Denise Michaels and Stacey Hall. It’s a transformational workshop to help you improve your business and your life. Let’s be honest. Constant change is “the new normal” and “Occupy Your Life… NOW!” will help you make the changes necessary to create success in this ever-changing world. It  happens January 26-28th in Las Vegas, NV.  Our Premiere Sponsor for the event is In-Touch Credit Union.  For more information click here now.