25-03-2025
Living Your Best Year Ever: It's Not As Hard As You Think
Brian Bartes is a success coach, bestselling author, and host of the podcast, 'LifeExcellence with Brian Bartes.'
As a success coach who has spent over 30 years studying the principles of achievement and excellence, I'm often asked, "What can I do to have my best year ever?" The answer, surprisingly, is simpler than you might imagine.
The cornerstone of a remarkable year lies in the deliberate crafting of your goals. It's not enough to simply wish for a better year; you must take the time to define specifically what that means for you. What do you want to achieve professionally, financially, personally and spiritually? Once you have a clear vision, you can begin to break down your goals into actionable steps.
I encourage my clients to dream big dreams and to set at least some goals that seem almost impossible to achieve. I usually get a puzzled look after I say that. To live your best year ever, though, you must push beyond your comfort zone and start thinking bigger. To dream big dreams, and to believe in your ability to make them come true.
While goals provide the target, habits provide direction and fuel the journey toward your desired outcomes. The habits you cultivate will determine whether you achieve your goals. Focus on developing habits that support your goals, and remove the habits that hinder them. Whether it's waking up earlier, practicing mindfulness or exercising regularly, consistent habits are the key to sustained success.
Simplicity is key here. Find habits that align with your goals and start implementing them into your life. For example, years ago I decided to run the Detroit Free Press Marathon. The initial thought of completing a marathon was overwhelming because I had never run close to 26.2 miles in my life! Once I broke that larger goal down into a consistent daily running habit, however, it was much easier to accomplish. As often attributed to Aristotle: 'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.' Our daily habits determine our success in life.
It's important to write down your goals, and it's even more powerful to develop habits around those goals. But to live your best year ever, you need to create a plan for how you're going to achieve those goals. Having a well-defined plan is like having a road map to your destination. It provides clarity, focus and accountability. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and create a timeline for their completion. Regularly review your plan and adjust as needed to stay on track.
As Henry Ford once said, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." Too often we have been conditioned to believe we can't achieve our goals. Or we haven't ever seen anyone in our lives do what we want to do, which causes us to think it isn't possible.
The way to combat these doubts is to reprogram your brain to see possibilities and control your mindset. Your mindset plays a crucial role in your success. Cultivate a growth mindset, believing that you can learn, grow and improve. Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and development. Stay positive and resilient, even in the face of setbacks.
Finally, remember that success requires action. Don't just dream about your best year ever; take steps to make it happen. Start with small, consistent actions and gradually build momentum. The more action you take in the direction of your desired outcomes, the more you'll achieve. Small steps forward can give you the momentum you need to gain the results you want in your life. By crafting your goals, developing the right habits, creating a deliberate plan, cultivating a positive mindset and taking consistent action, you can unlock your full potential and achieve extraordinary results.
Remember, the journey to success is not always easy, but it's always worth it. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories and dream big dreams!
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