Uh-oh. It’s 2015, and I am antsy again. Now that the holiday craze has died down, I am feeling much better physically, but mentally… still a little uneasy. It dawned on me this morning that I don’t like deadlines. Or said better, deadlines drive up “my issues.” For me, the end of the year was a deadline and there were some things I wanted that were down to the wire, plus the expanse of 2015 that now lies before me! Anything is possible in a new set of 12 months, and the choices are endless of where to begin; somehow, this is oppressive to me. Can anyone relate?

I always feel better once I have called a spade a spade, and now I have. Let me summarize: I was almost in panic mode about accomplishing my ’14 dreams and simultaneously fearing the enormity of my ’15 dreams. What a ‘tweener place to be!

Since I am a life coach, and more or less obsessed with how to be happy and at peace, I quickly set out to solve my angst. First, as always, confess. Check. Next, get to work. Here’s the plan I recommend for me and for you:

1) Before another day goes by, write out all your accomplishments and failures from the past year. 2014: take stock. Report to others on what you were proud of, and if you haven’t already - celebrate all that! For each area or goal in which you fell short, see if you can “fess up” about what was missing: Was it effort? Fear in the way? Were you being a brat about it? Was it some limiting belief? Knowing what’s running things in your life is very important for planning the overthrow and taking back the reins.

2) Write a vision for what you want in 2015. If not NOW, when? Make it big and bold, but don’t BS yourself. I always tell clients to envision what life would be like if all obstacles were removed and you stayed “in the zone.” What would you be, do, have? Make this vision short enough that you’ll read it daily. If you like visuals, put it in the form of art or a collage.

3) Plan actions. Write 1 to 2 actions you can take daily or weekly toward your vision. Note that these aren’t resolutions, they are promises- so you have to keep track of whether you did them or not. Post this on your fridge, desk at work or somewhere you can see your list every day, all day.

4) Get support. I highly advise getting a coach (or a friend who won’t let you off the hook) to help you keep your new action plan. There is such a startling contrast between having a good idea and executing it, night and day.

5) Go public. Make your actions public and send a monthly email, or make a post on social media, where you tell on yourself, bragging a little where you should and owning up to what you didn’t do. You will be amazed by the amount of love and support this kind of honesty and openness generates.

6) Keep going. Remain focused on your goals. You can always revise as you move through your year, because your vision is really a journey and you’ll be learning along the way. Be sure to know the difference between revising a goal and giving up on one (a coach can really help here too).

Going through this process in years past has been very gratifying and I am sure it will be again this year. Good luck, and have an amazing 2015! !

Love, Laurie

PS: Want to learn more about Handel Group Life Coaching? Contact us for a free 20 minute consultation, or register for our free upcoming Taste of Life-Coaching Teleseminar coming up in February!

-Art by Leah I.