| Will you prosper in 2008 or just plod along with hopes, | | | | yourself whether it is true, beyond doubt. If it is not, |
| dreams and no results? | | | | chose there and then whether you are going to allow it |
| The christmas holiday season is a time when people | | | | to get in the way of you realising your potential. |
| reflect and make plans for the coming year. Many | | | | 5. Set SMART goals |
| folks make resolutions, the vast majority of which fall | | | | Goals that are SMART are: |
| by the wayside within weeks. Are you ready to | | | | - Specific and clear |
| realise your potential in 2008 or will it be another year | | | | - Capable of being measured |
| of hopes, dreams and no results? Fortunately there | | | | - Achievable and realistic |
| are simple steps which, if followed, can help you to | | | | - Time limited |
| realise your potential in 2008. | | | | An example of a SMART goal would be To be |
| 1. Get clear | | | | earning 5,000 dollars more per annum by 31 December |
| Before you can realise your potential, you need to be | | | | 2008 |
| crystal clear on what that means for you. Is it: | | | | The goal is clear, can be measured, is achievable, |
| - More business success | | | | realistic and has a time limit for when you want to |
| - A promotion at work | | | | achieve it. |
| - Regular exercise | | | | 6. Aim high |
| - Healthier eating | | | | When setting out what you want to achieve, make |
| - Better life/work balance | | | | sure you aim high rather than aim low. If you aim high |
| - More family time | | | | and get 80% of the way towards it, chances are you |
| Write down a paragraph or two that clearly | | | | will have achieved much more than you would have |
| encapsulates what will have happened if you realised | | | | otherwise. |
| your potential in 2008. | | | | 7. Invest in yourself |
| 2. Take control | | | | Lifelong learning might be considered a bit of a buzz |
| You determine your destiny and what you achieve. | | | | word. Yet in truth, if you are going to realise your |
| You have choice. Are you going to allow others to | | | | potential, you need to be willing to invest in developing |
| determine what you achieve or are you going to take | | | | yourself. The great news is that you can get your |
| control and shape your direction? | | | | hands on lots of stuff or go to seminars that are free |
| 3. Take responsibility | | | | or very low cost if you are willing to dig a little. |
| Unless you take full responsibility for getting results, | | | | 8. Set up accountability |
| chances are that you will fall short of your potential. | | | | If you want to greatly enhance your chances of |
| How ready are you to take responsibility? | | | | success, get some accountability in place. The truth |
| 4. Challenge your beliefs | | | | is that you achieve much more when you have to self |
| We all make up things. You know the type of thing. | | | | account for the progress you have made and results |
| I am no good at
(fill in the blank). We also have | | | | achieved. It has been suggested that you have a |
| had others help us collect some labels along the | | | | 95% chance of succeeding when you have |
| way. If we allow these beliefs to run us (especially | | | | accountability. |
| those that limit us), we can end up completely stuck. | | | | So what will 2008 be for you? |
| Every time you come up with a negative thought, ask | | | | |