by Karima Mariama-Arthur, Esq. | Featured Contributor
It’s a new year and you feel like the world is your oyster. Well, at least you did during the first week of January. But passions often fade with time. Before you know it, the year will be over and your goals will remain outstanding. If it’s every happened to you before, then you know exactly what it feels like when you fail to accomplish what you’ve set out to do. However, if you want more for yourself this year, you’ve got to make some changes. Move with clarity, certainty, and turn regret on its head in 2015.
By deciding what you really want, thinking outside of the box, and performing outside of your comfort zone you can achieve the results you’ve been longing for.
Are you up for the challenge? Here’s how you can plan, execute and own your success in 2015 using three simple, but effective tips:
1. Know What You Really Want to Accomplish
How do you decide what you really want to accomplish? Ask yourself quality questions. What goals, if accomplished would make the greatest impact on your success, personally and professionally? Envision valuable goals that would inspire you to action. If your vision of success is not compelling, it will be difficult to align with action and sustain. What will challenge your status quo and help you to achieve greater results? Be specific. Do you want to lose weight or would you rather lose 35 pounds? There’s a tremendous difference in the way the two goals are framed and it affects strategy and outcomes. Another example: Do you merely want a new job, an executive management position at Westinghouse, or to launch your own business? Also understand that the “why” is also as important as the “what.” Get clear. Be specific. Know exactly what you want so that you can focus your actions on a daily basis and work strategically towards specific outcomes.
2. Think Outside the Box
Whatever you’ve accomplished in your life, no matter how great, was accomplished at a level of thinking quite different than what will be necessary to take things to the next level. All that means is that the same old thinking won’t help you to bring fresh ideas, strategies, or results to the table. New ideas and strategies will help you to break the cycle of intention and bring new results into fruition. Thus, reach for new ways to expand your vision and develop innovative strategies for achieving it. If what you’ve been doing so far hasn’t yielded any results, why would you continue to choose the path of least resistance? Don’t get trapped inside the box. Go against the grain. Break some rules. Be creative. Raise the stakes and prioritize thinking outside the box.
3. Perform Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Sure, doing something new can be difficult and even make you feel a little uncomfortable. But, the results can give you life. Playing it safe and only doing things that you are comfortable with, is a surefire way to stall progress. Challenge yourself to push beyond your comfort zone and watch how much you will grow. Can you imagine how doing the things you fear the most can change your destiny and catapult your goals for 2015? For example, if you know that doing more public speaking would help you to achieve a major business milestone, why would you choose not to do it, even if it scares you to death? There are numerous ways to tackle your fears; you just have to be willing to risk discomfort. Is that too much to ask? If not, even when it feels a little scary, just go for it. You’ll be glad you did. You’ll also be on your way to owning more and more success in every aspect of your life, not just this year, but for years to come.
These there simple, yet effective tips can make all the difference in the world. Are you ready to own your success in 2015? If so, let’s get to it!
To your success!
Photo Credit: Stuart Miles via FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
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Karima Mariama-Arthur, Esq. – Expert Facilitator and Professional Development Consultant –Washington, DC
Founder and CEO, WordSmithRapport
As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of WordSmithRapport™, Karima brings more than two decades of comprehensive, blue chip experience in law, business, and academia to the field of professional development. A leading authority in cutting-edge adult education and professional development, Karima is distinguished by her commitment to excellence and extraordinary talent for elevating executive brands. As an expert facilitator, executive communications consultant, and strategic leadership advisor, she trains, coaches, and consults individuals and organizations on the dynamics of complex communication and high performance leadership competence.
Karima is a Distinguished Toastmaster, United States Senate and a Corporate Speaker, certified by the International Association of corporate speakers.
Karima is the author of Get out of Your Way & Stop Sabotaging Your Success and the highly anticipated Boardroom Talking Points: A Guide to Polished Communication for Executives. A regular contributor to numerous high-profile media outlets, she has clarified the discussion on professional development as a leadership imperative. Karima is also featured on She Source, an online braintrust of female experts on diverse topics designed to serve journalists, producers, and booking agents who seek female guests and sources.
A Cornell Fellow and graduate of the University of California, Davis, and Roger Williams University School of Law, Karima enjoys helping young adults to increase self-confidence through communication and leadership excellence when not coaching executives.
Follow Karima on Twitter: @wsrapport or visit her Website, WordSmithRapport.com.
