Encouragement Plus Coaching

PUTTING LEGS ON YOUR NEW YEAR'S DREAMS

By Don H. Morris
Life Coach

From The Encourager Newsletter Issue#003 December 2003

"A dream is simply a wish with legs."
Paul Keenan

A NEW YEAR'S CHALLENGE

At the beginning of a new year it is customary to set one or more New Year's Resolutions, such as losing weight, reading the Bible through in a year, or learning a foreign language. Some people give little thought to how they will actually accomplish their resolutions. Without a specific goal and a definite action plan, a resolution is only a wish. Such wishes have no legs.

Here is my challenge to you: Replace your New Year's Resolutions with New Year's Dreams this year! Instead of making plain old wishes that have little chance of coming true, dream big then put in place a structure that will enable you to accomplish your dreams. "A dream," says Paul Keenan, "is simply a wish with legs."

Top Ten Ways to Put Legs
On Your New Year's Dreams

1. Establish a crystal-clear vision of what you want to accomplish in the next year. Some dreams may stretch beyond the upcoming year, and require ongoing work to be achieved. Some dreams may be brand-new ventures, such as beginning a new business. Others may continue from previous years, such as improving and maintaining optimal health.
    
2. Discover your passions. Ask yourself what brings you the greatest joy and satisfaction in your life.
    
3. Clarify your values and purpose. Ask yourself what gives you the greatest sense of meaning and purpose in your life. Find out what you were created to do in life.
    
4. Set one to three SMART goals that are aligned with your passions and values that will enable you to achieve your dreams. It is essential that you break down your dreams into manageable chunks. SMART goals are:
    
   • Specific
   • Measurable
   • Attainable
   • Realistic
   • Time-related
   
    
5. Make a firm commitment to achieve your goals. Start slow, but start. Small steps taken consistently will reap huge benefits.
    
6. Devise an action plan for each goal that states what you will do and when you will do it.
    
7. Gather the resources you will need to achieve your goals. What are the tools you will need to carry out your plan? Where will they come from?
    
8. Make sure you have a support network that will encourage you to keep going when the inevitable struggles arise.
    
9. Set a date to review your plan and make any necessary modifications.
    
10. Hire a coach to provide structure, support, and challenge as you seek to achieve your dreams.

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