At some point, we've all been caught up in the 'New Year, new me' mindset. However, this time, my commitment is at an exceptionally high level. As I step into the upcoming fresh days, I've devised a plan to transform 2024 into a beautiful journey. Here's a brief glimpse into it. There are three fundamental principles — Vision, Systems and Mindset that we need to define for ourselves which will guide us through.
Vision
Your energy's direction is determined by your vision—the fundamental motivation behind your actions. It's the driving force for everything you undertake. It's straightforward: establishing a clear "WHY" for yourself acts as the oar guiding your boat through the murky waters of confusion and demotivation. Your vision should transcend mere personal desires and challenges, serving as a source of inspiration that propels you away from the barren shores of your comfort or motivates you to stand tall after a challenging setback.
A good vision is something that is
Precise
Feasible
Noble
Crafting a holistic outlook entails optimizing for not just one aspect but for the well-being of your mental, physical, financial, and spiritual dimensions. This isn't about condensing your motivation into a mere one-liner; it's about delving into the depths of your aspirations. Be honest in constructing your rationale. Pose uncomfortable questions, for it's in those challenging inquiries that you'll unearth the authentic motivations driving your transformation. Allow the canvas of your reasons to stretch across a page, painting a comprehensive picture of the compelling forces steering your journey towards self-improvement.
Systems
Once you've crystallized your vision board in your mind, the next crucial step is to formulate a strategy to actively pursue it. Mere goal-setting on paper is insufficient; we've all experienced the cycle of January goal-setting followed by months of neglect. If you've been following my previous blogs, you're familiar with the approach:
Construct systems within your daily routine that organically lead to the achievement of your goals. Take writing a book, for example. Instead of setting vague goals, establish a habit of writing two pages every day, even if they're not perfect. To ensure consistency, allocate a specific time daily solely dedicated to writing. If your present actions aren't aligning with your ultimate goal, you won't reach it. It's akin to desiring to arrive somewhere without taking a step forward.
Systems act as powerful, self-operating machines that, when set in motion, yield results over time. If your goal is to win a marathon, run a few miles every day. Aspiring to be a writer? Write daily. Striving for excellence in your field? Learn and implement something new every day. Rome wasn't built in a day, but its builders laid bricks, toiled in the sun, and showed up consistently regardless of the season. That's the essence of what we must do: engage in deep work every day, steadily building the foundation for our aspirations.
Mindset
Up until now, we've explored the optimistic facets of our planning, but it's crucial to acknowledge an indispensable truth: the journey won't be easy. This is where cultivating the right mindset becomes paramount. There will be moments when venturing beyond your comfort zone feels overwhelmingly daunting. You may doubt whether you possess the necessary capabilities, and eventually, the weight of self-sabotage might threaten to bury you. Let's construct a mitigation plan for those times when our boats are at risk of succumbing to the sea of self-doubt.
Self-Reflection: Develop a practice of self-reflection. When self-doubt creeps in, take a step back and objectively assess the situation. Are your concerns grounded in reality, or are they distorted by fear and uncertainty?
Positive Affirmations: Arm yourself with positive affirmations. Counteract negative thoughts with affirmations that reinforce your capabilities and strengths. Remind yourself of past successes and the progress you've made.
Break It Down: When tasks seem insurmountable, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on conquering one step at a time rather than becoming overwhelmed by the entire journey.
Learn from Setbacks: View setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than confirmation of failure. Analyze what went wrong, adjust your approach, and use the experience to strengthen your resilience.
Growth Mindset: Embracing a growth mindset signifies the belief that intelligence and talent can be cultivated through dedicated practice and effort. Even if your current position seems distant from your wildest dreams, a growth mindset instills the confidence that improvement is attainable by honing your skills. It's a mindset that encourages the rewiring of existing capabilities, allowing for growth beyond inherent talents.
Resilient Mindset: A "Fall seven times, stand up eight" attitude is the hallmark of a resilient mindset. When your journey encounters obstacles, this mindset empowers you to navigate through challenges. Recognizing that adversities are inevitable and confronting them head-on exercises the grit muscle. Accepting that facing difficulties is a fundamental part of the journey enables you to embrace the pains that come your way, ultimately leaving you stronger and wiser.
Abundance Mindset: In moments of comparing oneself to the successes of others, an abundance mindset reminds us that there is plenty for everyone in the universe. Life is not a competition; we are all on individual journeys. Gratitude and respect for the opportunities that come your way cultivate an abundance mindset, assuring that you will have enough. This mindset encourages a positive outlook, fostering contentment and appreciation for the diverse paths each person travels.
These are ways you can go about redesigning your life, and use the points that stirred you.