Written by: Joi Brown, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It’s a new year, you made it. As we enter 2022 with new excitement and anticipation of a new beginning or a fresh start, let’s make sure you don’t bring bad behaviors or habits into the new year. Guess what, it’s time for a “Purge.” When you purge, you get rid of something or even someone of an unwanted quality. Take a moment to reflect on last year, 2021, and identify those actions, behaviors, habits, or even people that you need to remove from your mindset, places, or spaces in your life.
Procrastination…Negativity…Self-Doubt…Overspending…Unhealthy…It’s time to Purge them all.
Purging for me is like spring cleaning, where I go into my closet and identify clothes that I have not worn in years. The clothes are still good, but I need to get rid of unwanted things in my closet or life that are taking up space. In this new year, I do not want my life or mind filled with unwanted things. You may need to remove some contacts in your phone that are dream killers, drama makers, and energy busters. To embrace this new year, new you, a purge is necessary.
At the start of a new year, we tell ourselves, “This year I’m going to…This year I want,” and then as the year goes on, the goals we set in January have fallen to the back burner of life. This year let’s start with our mindset on “New Year, New You,” this is the year that I will achieve my goals and turn dreams and aspirations into reality. This is the year that I will step into my greatness and make moves that will change my life.
Here are five steps to a New Year, New You.
1. Reflect on the wheel of your life’s current state to the desired state. Identify your current state versus your desired state on important areas of your life – family, career, finances, health, social life, personal growth, spiritual, and mental health. This is a vital step in the process of setting new goals for you in the new year. Goals need to matter to you and have meaning and purpose to be accomplished. Identify the top 5 goals based upon the wheel of life.
2. Write down your SMART goals. Use the SMART acronym to establish the goals.
Be Specific- goals should answer what you want to accomplish
Make it Measurable- quantify the tracking of a goal to see progress towards it. Remember what gets measured gets done.
Make it Achievable- make sure the goal is something you can achieve
Realistic- determine its importance to your life, the relevance is essential to goal setting
Time-bound- setting a specific deadline (e.g., date and time) for accomplishment. Deadlines create targets of actions.
An example: I will lose 10 lbs. (specific and measurable) before my class reunion (realistic) in March (time-bound) by exercising at least 45 minutes a day and watching my portion size (achievable).
3. Write and See the Vision. I’m a true believer in positive affirmations and vision boards. You must “write the vision and make it plain.” Creating a vision for your life allows dreams, aspirations, and goals to manifest into reality. Posting your visions or goals allows you to see your goals daily which serves as motivation to keep moving forward. I have done vision boards for six years and in my office, all my vision boards are displayed and serve as a reminder of my life goals and aspirations. Writing and seeing the vision keep them at the top of your mind.
4. Seek an Accountability Partner. Identify a coach, mentor, or trusted friend that will hold you accountable for reaching your goals. Accountability partners will be encouragers and your support system to ensure you reach your goals. When you feel like giving up, they will inspire you to keep going and that you can do it. Focused, committed, and determined is what your accountability lifelines will ensure you are in this new year, new you.
5. Be Able to Shift. Change is inevitable in life. When you set goals or have plans, you must be able to shift at times. It is okay to redo or revise a goal or vision that you have. “You are the author of your life. If you want something changed, you have the “power of the pen to change the narrative.” Goals are dreams, visions, aspirations, or desires that you want to accomplish. From time-to-time, shifting goals is part of the story of life. There is power in the shift which can allow you to:
Redo something differently.
Refocus on what’s important to you.
Renew your motivation or action to achieve.
It’s a new year. Start with a purge and then reflect on where you are and what you desire for your life. Do the five steps that will empower you to a New Year, New You in 2022. I want to celebrate your success in 2022, contact me and share your New Year, New You.
Joi Brown, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Joi Brown is the Chief Executive Officer of 3EEE Consulting, where she educates, equips, and empowers people through coaching, conversations, and workshops. Her expertise is in career and entrepreneur development, conflict resolution, goal setting, health and wellness, leadership and team development, and personal and professional branding. Joi is truly walking in her purpose helping to educate, equip, and empower people to unlock their passion, purpose, and potential.
