You are going to need encouragement to accomplish your goals effectively this year.

TIP: Making yourself physical reminders to represent your goals can help you to visualize what success will look like and becomes a very powerful motivator.

Lots of people ‘talk’ about their goals (write a book, start a business, lose weight, etc.), less ‘write’ them down, and even less are accomplished.

It is essential to write down your goals on paper and tell others for a number of reasons including:

·         It helps you solidify how you are actually going to accomplish them

·         Makes you accountable.

Part of your brain is known as the Reticular Activating System (RAS). It is an essential tool in your ability to achieve goals.

First, you can deliberately program the reticular activating system by choosing the exact messages you send from your conscious mind. For example, you can set goals, or say affirmations, or visualize your goals. Napoleon Hill said that we can achieve any realistic goal if we keep on thinking of that goal, and stop thinking any negative thoughts about it.

Second, your reticular activating system cannot distinguish between what is ‘real’ and a ‘lie.’ In other words, it tends to believe whatever message you give it. Imagine that you’re going to be giving a presentation. You can practice giving that presentation by visualizing it in your mind. This ‘pretend’ practice should improve your ability to give the speech.

But you are going to need motivation to remain focused.  To get you through the tough days remember to:

Focus – Keep a constant reminder in front of you to help you say ‘NO’ to the distractions, which will derail your progress.

Motivation – A physical representation helps us keep the image before us and turns on the emotions to stay motivated to pursue our goal.

Stay Alert – Having your goal in front of you creates a state of alertness to anything related to your goal and you begin to notice more and more opportunities related to your goal. If you are shopping for a new car and you constantly have a visual representation in front of you, you will automatically pick up on any cues related to that car.

Physical representations of your goals can take various forms:

• A dream board – A photo collage of the things representing your goals

• Miniature versions of your goal (matchbox car, your own business card, etc.)

• Screen savers or photos on your desktop of your goal.

• Warning sticker on your credit card – this is helpful if your goal requires you to save money.

• Writing on your mirror with washable felt a list of your goals.

What else do you use?