Your Best Year Ever

I read the book “Best Year Ever” by Michael Hyatt every year around this time to re-engage my mind and think about what I want to accomplish in the year ahead.

Since it’s been so helpful for me, I wrote up a summary to share with others.

Your Best Year Ever: A 5 Step Plan for Achieving your Most Important Goals

1. Believe the Possibility: We’ve all heard the famous Henry Ford quote “If you believe you can or can’t, you’re right”. Unfortunately, many of us are raised with limiting beliefs about what we’re capable of. What if you can change your sense of what is possible? You can. Just start thinking it and believing it. This can be a mental hurdle, but you must overcome it if you’re going to fulfill your potential.
2. Complete the Past: The mind is complex. We often can’t move forward unless we complete the loop and process the past. Don’t allow your life to be framed through a past experience that you can’t let go of. Look to the past to learn and grow, but don’t stay stuck there for good. Choose to be thankful for your experiences, good and bad. Then move forward.
3. Design Your Future: Once you’ve upgraded your beliefs and completed the past, it’s time to set your goals. Your goals should be achievable, but BIG ENOUGH to make you uncomfortable. Make them S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound). Have goals for each major area of your life (Faith, Fitness, Family, Finances, etc.). Once you’ve identified your goals, write them down. Map out how you will achieve them. Will you need to schedule/time block to make them happen? Will you need to develop new habits? Start designing your future.
4. Find Your Why: The daily grind will test your stamina and perseverance. For those tough days where you want to quit, re-connect to why you set your goals in the first place. Every “what” needs a “why”. Connect your goals to a higher purpose and meaning. Identify your key motivations. “People lose their way when they lose their why.” Never forget your why.
5. Make It Happen: If you’ve followed the first four steps, your goals will be large and ambitious. But it can be overwhelming to get started. Break it down into smaller steps. Rack up some quick wins to get the momentum going. Celebrate your wins. Review your progress, and then reward yourself when you achieve your goals!

Wishing all my friends and family a wonderful and successful 2024!