Making 2017 a year to be proud of

How was 2016? Was it all you had expected it to be? Did you set goals? Did you reach those goals? Did you grow emotionally, and spiritually? What will be different in 2017?

There is one thing life has taught me and it's this; in order to see change, you must do things differently than in the past. You can't keep doing the same thing in the same way and expect to see change.

It is also important to set realistic short term goals, and long term goals. I don't believe in making resolutions. They usually tend to fall by the wayside two weeks into the new year.
Write your goals down on paper. Set a strategy in place with all of the things that you will need in order to achieve them.

Be prepared to drop a few individuals whom you've been carrying. Keep the people in your circle that have proven to be of help, support, and who have been an encouragement to you. Don't waste energy on relationships that are not giving you what you need in order to grow and expand mentally.

Be disciplined and diligent in your quest to reach your goals for 2017.  Decide now how you will handle those days when you absolutely want to throw in the towel and give up. Work out a strategy now for staying on track no matter what. At times, we can be our own worse enemy.

Align yourself with people who are achieving their dreams. If you don't know of any such persons, start reading about anyone who fits that category.  Hearing about other people's journey to success is a great motivator. Read up on everything and anything that has to do with what you are looking to do. Take a couple of classes if necessary.

Confront your fears and your worse nightmares. Sometimes they are only illusions. Keep in mind that anything worth doing is not without difficulty. Roll up your sleeves and do the hard stuff. Hard work really does pay off and besides that, it has never killed anyone.

Learn from all of your past mistakes and blunders and aim to avoid them in the future. Share your ideas and dreams with people who will respect them. Sometimes you have to keep your mouth shut with what you're doing. Not everyone wants to see you succeed! Everyone is not in your corner!

​Have a prosperous and eventful New Year! Enjoy the journey and all of the exciting and wonderful things that can come your way! Embrace meeting new people and make it a year you will be proud of!