One Thing You MUST Do Before The Year Closes

I made the video above in 2019 when impact of a global pandemic and economic meltdown was not a consideration. Yet, here we are!

Many of us are living with multiple layers of uncertainty in our daily lives right now. With the latest set of regulations being imposed, we don’t know when we’ll be able to see our friends and family again, or when our work life will return to normal.

Many of us are stuck in childcare or home situations that feel unsustainable and we worry about ourselves or our loved ones who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Basically, we’ve lost control over parts of our lives that we previously took for granted. On top of that, we’ve been asked to give up pleasures, big and small, be it having a drink with friends in the pub, visiting relatives or the holiday to Spain we’ve been looking forward to. 

It’s normal to feel frustrated, powerless and anxious given the unfolding circumstances of the last ten months.

One way to cope with these feelings is to focus on the small things over which we do have control - what we focus on and what meaning give to it. 

We can commit to taking small, concrete actions each week to regain a sense of purpose, motivation and self-efficacy.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to goal setting, the Best Year Yet process will help you consider what needs to change for you to feel happier and more satisfied with your life. 

It will ensure that, despite COVID-19, you can continue to build a meaningful and satisfying life that aligns with what matters to you. 

How To Set Yourself Up To Win In 2021

Many years ago I discovered an important process that has allowed me and my clients to grow and improve performance every year continually.

It’s called Best Year Yet.

Best Year Yet is about reflecting on this past year’s wins, reviewing lessons learned then setting goals and resolutions for 2021.

Unfortunately, that’s where the problem begins.

Although many people set goals and plans for themselves, most don't take the time to celebrate their wins.

When you have your head down working diligently on building your career, family and life, it’s very easy to overlook celebrating your wins – especially the small less obvious ones.

You just keep pushing yourself, forcing yourself to keep driving on using more and more energy and of course, another year just grinds on by.

This can actually cause a lot of unnecessary negative emotions and negative mindsets. 

Not taking the time to celebrate your wins is a BIG mistake. 

Why?

Allow me to explain...

Neuroscience is showing us our brains are not very good at keeping a tally of our wins. Research (Amabile and Kramer, “The Power of Small Wins”, Harvard Business Review) supports this finding. 

Our brains are quick to forget the small victories along the way, so we don't celebrate them as successes. That can turn into a very poisonous mental state because we're delaying our gratification.

We forget to congratulate ourselves for all of the actions we take along the way. This mistake can kill our motivation dead in its tracks.

Potentially it can kill the dream and cause us to abandon it altogether.

If we strive for big wins and forget that along the way, as we set goals and as we take actions to move towards this bigger vision, we're growing and evolving and making strides as a person.

Believe it or not, you might have forgotten about some of the awesome things that you've achieved this year. Your brain will be more consumed with what you haven't achieved yet.

The Power Of Positive Focus

In a study, done by Shawn Achor, at KPMG in 2008, right before the busiest tax season in recent history, managers in NY and NJ were invited to create a positive habit of focusing on the good (wins, gratitudes, positive experiences) and sustain it for 21 days.

Four months later, in April, the group that received the positive training and did the habit showed significant increases in productivity, lower stress, and higher engagement levels.

Their happiness scores moved up on average 5 points on a 25 point scale compared to the control group.

Do yourself a big favour before 2021 and do this one discipline.

Why not flip the coin and do something a little bit different here?

Instead of racing your way into next year, capture all your WINS....then from that energy....from that mindset, you can charge into 2020 with confidence, clarity and a deep knowing that you can create your best year yet.

Spend time going back over the year and think about some of the amazing things you've been, done and accomplished.

Take the time to relish the memory of that awesome experience you created. Science is showing us it doesn't matter how small it the win was. Celebrating it will still release the good feeling neurotransmitter of dopamine.

Today that changes...

To help you I would like to give you a copy of my little eBook "Your Best Year Yet" and accompanying video training (above). 

All you do is follow the 3-step process... and you'll be guided step-by-step to create your best year yet plan so you set yourself up to win.

The best part is, it is totally free, no need to give me your email address to get it.

(click on the image for immediate download) 

• You will get the 3 big-picture questions which will set the scene for designing your best year yet.
• You will receive a step by step powerful action planning process which you can begin implementing immediately for real, lasting, positive change!
• By the end of the planning process, you will have the critical mindset shift required to ensure this is your best year yet, no matter what happens. 

I know you will get tremendous value... it's my little gift to YOU!

With the New Year right around the corner, there’s no better time to take advantage of this.

1 hour + 3 questions = Best Year Yet

Follow these 3- steps: 

1. Download your copy of Best Year Yet and print it out ready. 
2. Watch the short (11 minutes) "how-to" video on this page to learn how to get the best out the whole planning exercise. I cover some important distinctions that help you get the most out of the experience.
3. Schedule an hour over the holidays and follow the 3-step process to get closure on 2020 and set yourself up to win in 2021. 

“If we would only give the same amount of reflection to what we want out of life that we give to the question of what to do with two weeks’ vacation, we would be startled at our false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days.”
- Dorothy Canfield Fisher

So... as 2020 draws to a close, in a year marked by both perseverance and doubt, I’d like to thank you for all the support the Good Vibe Tribe has given me this year and I hope you and the family have a safe and relaxing holiday.

Let’s stay optimistic about what 2021 will bring :)

Much love, 
Colin

P.S. Please pass on and share (via the social buttons) my Best Year Yet eBook with your friends, family and work colleagues. Help spread the word. Thanks :-)