Practical Pinay: January 2012

I like starting a new year. It is the time when I reflect on the year that was and create a new set of goals. Last year was definitely a good one for me; all is still going as planned and more. My goals for last year were: get my own place; enroll in an insurance policy and mutual fund; set up an out-of- town trip with my long-time friends; and be promoted at work. All of these I was able to do and I am so happy.

As we begin 2012, I would like to share how I set my goals and achieved them.

Here is how I did it:

5 easy steps for starting the year right

Reflect and give thanks. Make sure that you thank the people around you. You are who you are right now because of them. It is said that gratitude is the most powerful feeling that can attract more love, happiness and positive outcomes. Who wouldn’t want those?
List your Top 10 from the previous year. Keeping a written record of what you accomplished will make you feel really good when you read it. It will help if you arrange the list under categories, like family, career, love, finances and travel. These are just a few examples.
List your goals for the coming year. This list must be: Simple, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound (S-M-A-R-T). I usually refer to my previous Top 10 list and aim for more. If you were able to save P10,000 what is stopping you from saving P100,000? Remember that you can only move forward and upwards. Keep reminding yourself to move forward.
Plan your attack. Your list is not just a list; you must know how you can achieve each and everything on that list. Again, write your plan. It is different when you have it written down. It is like telling yourself that your goals are accomplished already.
Lastly, smile, breathe deeply and face the coming year with positivity. What we hold inside is what we attract. Promise yourself to be strong. Persist. Not every day is a holiday.