Get time on your side.

You may delay, but time will not. — Benjamin Franklin

Last time we talked about good being good enough. Let’s build on that a bit more as it relates to the new year.

We all to some extent take the ushering of a new year as something of a new beginning. The new year is an opportunity for us to recommit to some of the things we know we should’ve done the previous year but just didn’t get around to for what ever reason. It is time marker that makes us realize that time is indeed passing faster than we’d probably like.

We get so busy in our day to day lives but the new year gives us a moment to reflect and look at something of a longer picture. We resolve to do better, be better, act on our dreams and hopes and make things happen for ourselves and our loved ones.

This is generally a good thing. The only problem is that the feeling fades as we get into the year. It is almost February now – how committed to your resolutions are you today compared to shortly after the year began?

Wouldn’t it be great if you could feel that way more than once a year? Wouldn’t it be great if you could have the sense of determination and motivation to improve or act on your goals? Well, guess what, you can. It is in your control.

Tips:

1. Set shorter milestones for your goals.

   Make it every quarter or every month instead of just every year. Have monthly resolutions not just yearly resolutions. Carve your goals into smaller achievable steps and start acting on them. You’ll find that each success will motivate you to keep going.

2. Get a task list.

   Writing down the things you need to do is a great exercise. Ideally, you want to keep the size of each task relatively small so that you can make progress on a daily basis. Paper and pencil is good, but I suggest using an app that is available on multiple devices and platforms such as Todooist.

3. Failure isn’t permanent.

   Don’t let setbacks discourage you or prevent you from pushing forward. Everyone fails sometime – the greatest people just don’t let it prevent them from pursuing their goals.

So whatever your goals are for this year, be sure to act on it – don’t wait. If you’ve been meaning to start a business, start today – don’t wait. Don’t push it once again to the next year.