Happy New Year! For all you goal setters out there have a look at this article from the Globe and Mail with 12 excellent coaching questions for considering at the start of the New Year. These questions will guide you through an appreciative contemplation of the past year and take you on a focused and strategic look at your intentions for the year ahead.
I would also encourage you to think about these two additional questions:
- What are the positive habits you have established that support you in achieving your goals?
- What is one new positive habit you can focus on establishing for yourself in the coming year?
Too often we focus on our bad habits. We forget that we also have positive habits that help us stay healthy, work more effectively, be better parents, partners, friends, etc.
Small actions repeated over time lead to achievement. Goal setting and corresponding planning activities are valuable, and equally so is focusing on developing habits of behaviour that support us in taking the positive actions to advance our goals.
Habits are behaviours and actions that over time become almost automatic for us. When something becomes a habit it becomes almost effortless. There is no more a need to exert will power. They become a part of our standard routine.
To establish a habit you don’t need to do it every day. Going for a run three days a week can become a habit. Taking time every Sunday to plan your priorities for the week ahead can also become a habit.
My new habit for 2013 will be getting up early four days a week to work on my professional writing. I’ll let you know how it goes!
