5 Steps to Make the Rest of 2005 Extraordinary

So here we are in July. Where did the first half of the year go? It only seems a couple of weeks ago that I was drinking festive egg-nog, wearing my Christmas sweater and humming 'Sleigh Ride' too loudly in line at the supermarket.

It's kinda scary to think that there's just six months of 2005 left to run, and we've already had the longest day of the year which means that the nights are starting to draw in (I'm not trying to get you down, honest!). So how's the first half of the year gone for you? Was it what you expected?

Most importantly, what do you want the next six months to be about? To help you get clear on the rest of your year, here's what I want you to do,

Take a moment to think about the last six months - January to June. Think about everything you've done, the opportunities that came along, the tough times and the fun times, and think about where you are now having gone through the last six months. Give the first half of 2005 a rating from 1 to 10 - it could be a big-grin scale, a temperature scale or a fulfilment scale. How would you rate your 2005 so far?

Now go forwards in time six months, and imagine yourself on a crisp December morning (or warm if you're somewhere hot!). You've put effort into moving things forwards and it's worked - things have progressed in some important ways and you're seeing results and reaping the rewards. Using the same scale as before, what rating do you want to give to July to December? What rating respresents how you want to feel about the next six months?

Imagine that it's still that December morning. You wake up, your eyes flicker open and things are different. Things have moved on, you have more of something and things have changed for the better. What one thing would make the biggest difference to you? What do you want things to look like or feel like on that December morning? Be as specific as you can be (close your eyes if it helps) and write down what comes out for you. Maybe it's building your confidence or boosting your self-esteem, maybe it's finding a new partner or improving your relationship, or maybe it's finding work you can love or feeling more fulfilled in the work you already do. Whatever it is for you, have fun thinking about what will be different when you have it.

Don't stop there - create another two things that would be amazing to have, do or be on that same December morning. What's bugging you right now that you'd like to change? What would make a huge or powerful difference to you? Again, be as specific as you can be about what you want to have, do or be on that December morning and write down your ideas.

You've just created three goals that you can achieve within the next six months. Keep them somewhere close to you and be sure to pay positive attention to those things as often as you can. Feel good about them and imagine yourself there with all three in place - pretty darn good, right?!

But it doesn't stop there. Each and every week from now until that December morning, dive back into your goals and feel what it would be like to have them, then ask yourself 'What's one thing I can do this week that will move me forwards?'. Each week, think of what decision you can make or what action you can take that will be one step forwards, no matter how big or small.

Simply by paying positive attention to what you want all kinds of things can just fall into place, but there's nothing like quite doing something about what you want! Be excited about the rest of the year because it truly can be extraordinary - you just have to make it extraordinary and allow it to be extraordinary. Yep, we're half way through 2005 already - but the best can still be to come.

About the Author
Steve Errey's free ezine ' Being More' shows you proven ways that YOU can have, do and be more than you thought possible. By signing up you'll also receive a special report titled '5 Little Secrets Other Coaches Won't Tell You' ? visit http://www.steveerrey.com now.

Steve Errey is one of the UK's most successful coaches and specialises in personal growth for thirtysomethings - helping them with their careers, relationships and confidence and to get more fun, fulfilment and freedom. For more information please contact Steve on 0845 644 3001, by email at steve@steveerrey.com or visit his website at http://www.steveerrey.com.

---

Writing Goals Down Ties Them Up!

Writing goals describes the act of inscribing on a surface... Read More

Is There An Anxiety Solution For Those Who Fail To Keep Their Resolutions?

In a nutshell... YES!I've given a lot of thought recently... Read More

Pigs Dont Sing

Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes... Read More

Top 15 Goals Quotations

Examine your own personal goals and find methods to achieve... Read More

Sabbatical from Work? Start Here!

Many people envy academics who take sabbaticals. What they don't... Read More

The Goal Setting Blueprint

Why is goal setting important? Because without goals you don't... Read More

Top 10 Tools to Reach Your Goals Quickly

We all have dreams and goals. Some of them are... Read More

One Single Secret to Goal Setting Success

Perhaps you have never taken a stock of the most... Read More

Quick Tips On Achieving Your Goals

Want to achieve your goals faster?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More

Discovering Your Values

In the last newsletter we talked about 'Your Reason Why',... Read More

When Life Takes A Detour ? 4 Signposts That Will Guide You Back On Track

It happens a lot 'round about now. One by one... Read More

Setting Achievable Goals For Success

In order to achieve something, the first thing you should... Read More

Turn The Escape Key Now

"I think I know how bank robbers feel as they... Read More

Keep a Dream Journal: Why Bother?

Want a key to unlock your inner wisdom? Try keeping... Read More

Got Goals? Did You Reach Them?

Most of us have goals.Big ones, small ones. But not... Read More

Success Is Knowing What You Want

Many people ask me how they can be more successful.The... Read More

Actual Achievement Part 2

In Part 1 I started the discussion on what to... Read More

Where has All the Time Gone?

We live in a busy society. We may have demanding... Read More

Plan, Prioritize, Play 10 Strategic Ways To Be Time Rich And Stress Free

1. Retrain your self-talk, to remove selfish from your vocabulary... Read More

It Takes A Lot Of A Little To See The Good Times Roll

Have you ever wondered why some people are just naturally... Read More

Do Your Goals Match Your Passions?

Making sure our goals are properly aligned with our passions... Read More

Creating the Best Year of Your Life

At the end of each year, and on their birthdays,... Read More

Got Purpose?

Is your life on purpose? Does just the question stop... Read More

To Reach Goals: Bypass Resistance & Gather Assistance

To reach goals, consider this illustration: If you see roadblocks... Read More

Goal Setting Skills Ensure Success

SO WHAT DOES GOAL SETTING OFFER? It closes the manager-employee... Read More

How to Handle Getting Caught Off Guard

I remember the time that I swore to myself that... Read More

Fear Factor

Is it possible for an individual to pass a course... Read More

Goal Setting and Goal Getting: The BD3 Approach

Most people have no problem setting goals. At the same... Read More

Rebuilding Oneself: The Universes Basic Training

I remember Air Force Basic Training. My Training Instructor not... Read More

Discover the Key to Self-confidence

"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key... Read More

If I Won the Lottery, I Wouldnt Have to Job Search!

IF I WON THE LOTTERY, IWOULDN'T NEED TO JOB SEARCH!Let's... Read More

Achieving Success Through Effective Goal Setting

It is important to have goals because they are good... Read More

How to Set Effective Goals That Guarantee Your Success

In this article, I will be sharing with you the... Read More