10 Ways to Make Your New Year Count

It's that time of year again; time to get rid of the old and in with the new. 

Everyone has dreams and goals. At least they should. A fresh new year is a perfect opportunity to sit down and map out your ambitions. Don't forget to dream too while you're at it.

I made up a 2014 Goal and Dream Sheet PDF  for all of you so NO EXCUSES :-)

Remember, be specific. Give yourself a deadline and/or add how often you'd like to incorporate a certain something.

Here are some examples:

Yoga 3xs a week

Write for six hours a day

Finish novel by March 31^st

Learn to paint by first day of summer (June 21^st)
Reach out to someone who could use some help

Afraid you'll make a mistake?

No worries there's no such thing. But if you're truly worried about it, check out this great article by the amazing Michael Hyatt. A must read: 10 Biggest Goal Setting Mistakes

In the meantime, here are a few could-be goals I came up with and ways to achieve them:

Losing weight/Getting Fit:

Pre plan your meals ahead of time. Cook and fill lunches in Tupperware for the week. Stock up on veggies and fruits and wholesome foods. To veer away from temptation, discard not-so-good munchies from pantry.

Set a timer for 30-40 minutes for cardio. And if your memory is as bad as mine, set an alarm every 2-3 hours to eat. Don't wait until your stomach growls to let you know you're hungry.

Need some help eating clean help?

Healthy Recipes  Let's Get Healthy  Eat Clean

• QUICK TIP: Buy new cooking utensils and Tupperware to make preparing meals fun. Trust me, this helps!

Procrastination

Set goals per day. No mental notes allowed. Take the time jot them down even if it's as little as three goals. Three goals are better than none. Use the handy little GOAL SHEET I made up for you. I've included Daily Goal Cards too so all you have to do is write down the day's date. Limit distractions. Unplug that phone, email, etc.

Write More

Get that word count in

The only way you'll get to that finish line is one step at a time. One word at a time. Make daily word count goals. 1-2k a day is a great goal. There's no wrong or right number. Do what's best for you and work at a comfortable pace but whatever you do, try your best to reach your daily goals. And if you don't reach them, don't beat yourself up over it. There will be plenty of days to make up for it. And there will always be days you'll surpass your goal and will be ahead. No worries. JUST. KEEP. WRITING. It doesn't matter how bad the words are. ALL THAT MATTERS IS YOU TRY.

Like Forrester says in one of my all-time favorite movies, Finding Forrester. "No thinking—that comes later. You must write your first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head. The first key to writing is... to write, not to think!"

Keep writing!

Exercise without Distractions

Do you get distracted at the gym by that annoying notification alert when an email arrives in your inbox? I admit it. I'm guilty of it too. Resist temptation. Bring an iPod instead and lock up cell phone in locker. Trust me it'll make for a more concentrated training session at the gym. Besides, you deserve it. For the next hour or two it's all about you. YOU time!

I sincerely hope this helps.

HOW ABOUT YOU? WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS? WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!! Watch out 2014, here we come!

X Mart

♥♥♥

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

—Walt Disney

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

—C. S. Lewis

"A dream doesn't become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."
―Colin Powell



"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."
―William Arthur Ward



"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
―Eleanor Roosevelt

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

—Walt Disney

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
—Henry David Thoreau

"Be careful what you set your heart on, for it will surely be yours."

—Ralph Waldo Emerson