The New Year is here! A time for reflection and often times change. I love the optimism of the New Year and all the positive feelings that come with looking forward. There is often a lot of learning and energy to be found in looking back on what we really enjoyed in 2011 as a source of inspiration. Using Reflection is a very effective tool in developing inspirational goals. By reflecting you are taking the time to pause and think about what went on and how to felt or the impact an event had on you. We are racing from task to task and often never take a moment to say \”Wow that was great\” or \”I do not want to repeat that again\”. The more meaningful and thought we put into planning our goals the more likely you are to achieve it.

The New Year has started and 2012 is off to a roaring start. Along with resolutions and goal setting there is the Superbowl, the Academy Awards, Elections and sun or snow depending on where you live. 2011 was by most media accounts a tough year for many with economic uncertainty; political chaos and the changes each of us individually have faced with our own families or careers.

I suggest the following as a quick exercise to set meaningful goals. The first step is to look back over the last 12 months and think about:

1. The times when you were happy, proud or just plain surprised in 2011?

2. What were the highlights? Think about the details and picture the moment or point in time. The people that were there, the project you completed or the feeling of pride you had? It is in these hidden gems and reflective thoughts that we regain our focus on the things we enjoy and are often good at, both at work and home.

3. What are you glad to be leaving behind? Or want less of?

4. What do you want more of?

5. Write of all these answers down. From here make a list of 4 to 5 things you want to accomplish in 2012.

6. Add a mid-year check-in in June to keep you on track and add accountability. It is also a chance to revise your goals.

Time flies and the hours turn into days and the days into months and before you know it another year is done. Setting meaningful and actionable goals will help you achieve what matter most in the coming year because you have already thought about why these four or five things are important and what they mean to you and the life you want. So tuck these goals in a safe place where you can find them and put an entry in your phone to check-in on your goals in June 2012.

Now that your goal setting has been complete it is time to embrace 2012 with a smile, a clean slate and fond memories of the last year. You have made your plans to grow, change and take on the world but remember sometimes it is in the everyday things that we do that we find the most pleasure. Have the life you want. Start by writing down what you want today and taking the steps to make it happen.

Lisa Rocks McKeogh is a Personal and Business Coach. She helps clients re-establish their passion,and cultivate their personal brand. Lisa coaches clients to identify and focus on goals that promote fulfillment in life, work and play. Visit Rocket Life Coaching or e-mail lisa@rocketlifecoaching.com

Lisa Rocks McKeogh is a Personal and Business Coach. She helps clients re-establish their passion,and cultivate their personal brand. Lisa coaches clients to identify and focus on goals that promote fulfillment in life, work and play. http://www.rocketlifecoaching.com or lisa@rocketlifecoaching.com

Author Bio: Lisa Rocks McKeogh is a Personal and Business Coach. She helps clients re-establish their passion,and cultivate their personal brand. Lisa coaches clients to identify and focus on goals that promote fulfillment in life, work and play. Visit Rocket Life Coaching or e-mail lisa@rocketlifecoaching.com

Category: Self Help
Keywords: goals,life coaching, reflection