Tips for a mind shift in 2024

Have you moved past the New Year resolution stage yet?

Have you decided it’s all too hard? Interestingly, one of the dictionary definitions of the word resolution is - a formal expression of opinion or intention made. Opinions are like belly buttons; everyone has them, and intentions are just that! It is behaviour that matters. Intentions are good because they can influence behaviour; however, what you do is what counts. Fortunately, what we do is totally within our control. How we think, how we act, how we respond, and how we feel are all within our control.

Having an intention and putting effort into doing something about it is a productive way to think about the year ahead. Asking yourself great questions is where the thinking starts. Great questions can be more important than the answers because they force us to think differently. To think differently requires giving ourselves the gift of time to think. Having the headspace to think differently requires quiet time and thinking time, and the exciting thing about time is that it is all around us. It is what we do with our time that matters. Time does not pass; we pass through time, and how you use your time will influence your future, whether you do anything different or not! As Carol Dweck reminds us, "No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishments." Your strengths and abilities are not set; effort and a growth mindset are the only way to reach your full potential.

What questions would you like to ask yourself?

Here are a few thought starters:

Setting goals and planning to achieve them is a powerful way of bringing energy to intentions because where energy goes, focus flows, and actions go. It starts with setting a big goal, or maybe even more than one, but one is a good number to begin with. This applies to how you manage your business and organise your life. Do one thing differently, or go after one different thing this year, and you will progress towards the life you truly want. Ask yourself: who do I need to be? What do I need to do?  to have the life I desire? It is a fact that the life you want to have is entirely yours to decide and your responsibility to create. All you need to do is give yourself the gift of time.

Try these tips to approach the new year before the end of January:

Tip #1

Be flexible in the way you think and act. Identify the sort of goal that, when you achieve it, will make a difference in your life. Then, put your energy into accomplishing it, but be flexible about how to do it. Moving towards achieving a goal is about progress, not perfection.

Tip #2

Put your focus on the things that will make the most difference. It's about something other than being busy; anyone can do that. It is about being focused and productive with the things in your life that will make a difference and knowing that obstacles and unforeseen things will get in the way.

Tip #3

Identify a way to hold yourself accountable. Developing great habits around showing up for yourself requires commitment and work to be done. Decide if you are interested or committed. When you are committed and loyal to your goals, you will achieve success - it’s like having a crystal ball to a large degree. However, if you are interested, you may only do what is easy and comfortable. Everyone needs support sometimes, so reaching out to a friend, colleague, coach, or family member to support you in being accountable is a great way to commit yourself.

Use these tips to approach the new year differently than you may have done previously. These are just a start, as there is so much more that you can and will do. You have to start and decide what your first actions will be. Decide a goal, commit to yourself, put your energy into what is essential, and focus on what you wish to achieve. Anything you want to succeed in, you can…

If you want help achieving a mindset shift and setting goals for 2024, click here  to book your Complimentary Strategy Session  with Claire or Wendy at Leaders Network.