How to Make 2018 Your Best Year [Ever!] | Jack Canfield

Hi there, I'm Jack Canfield, and today I want to talk to you about how to make 2018 your best year ever. Regardless of how you ring in the New Year with lively parties and fireworks or cozy celebrations at home, there is a recurring theme at every New Year's celebration to make the next year the best year. There isn't one big thing that will make your year the best year ever, but there are several things you can do to make make 2018 your best year yet. First, take inventory of last year. By reviewing last year and all the ups and downs of 2017, we are provided with a map to moving forward into 2018. Reflecting deeply on last year can highlight your successes and, more importantly, the areas most in need of improvement. So find a quiet room in your house and carve out a bit of meditation time. And don't be afraid to ask yourself the hard questions. The answers to the hardest of questions will only help you grow. Use a journal to collect your thoughts so you can refer back to your answers. What were the biggest accomplishments of 2017? Why were those accomplishments meaningful for you? What did they signify? Do you have any regrets? What were they? What obstacles did you face? What goals did you reach? What goals did you not meet? What are you not happy with in your life right now? This can be personal, professional, spiritual relationships. Identify the areas that you want to improve and be as specific as you can be. And finally, what was the overall recurring theme of 2017? By taking the time to review the events of the previous year, you not only have the opportunity to be grateful for all the good moments, but you also gain the knowledge of where and what to improve. It is only when you know which areas truly need improving and why that you can work towards creating the best year ever. Next don't make New Year's resolutions now. On the outside, making New Year's resolutions seems like a festive way to bolster optimism and prepare for the upcoming year. However, there is a reason that there are so many jokes about resolutions fizzling out by Valentine's Day. Many individuals simply do not follow through on their resolutions, despite their best intentions. So instead of setting resolutions, set New Year's goals. Although those words may seem interchangeable, understanding the difference can help you make the best out of 2018. While a resolution is intended to be a promise that you keep indefinitely, a goal refers to a specific achievement by a specific date. An example of a resolution is something like this. I will go to the gym every day now. You intend to keep this promise, but because it is unrealistic you lose momentum once you miss a few days and you realize you cannot keep this promise. On the other hand, a goal is I will run a 5K by April 30, 2018. And unlike the Resolution, which has no end in sight, this goal has a very specific and measurable achievement. Run a 5K and a deadline April 30th. Now, because of these characteristics, goals are much easier to keep. And yes, it might entail going to the gym a lot, but you're not committing to more than you can realistically handle. When you make your New Year's goals, be sure to be as specific as you can. That is one of the keys to your success. Next, I want to encourage you to create a breakthrough goal for the year. A well formed goal is both powerful and measurable. Specifically, a goal must quantify something and it must list a specific day for completion. Going back to the goal versus Resolution example from above, a good goal is I will participate in the charity 5k on April 21st and I will complete it in 30 minutes or less. As admirable of a goal as that is, your year has even greater chances of success if you set a breakthrough goal. Now. A breakthrough goal is the goal that will quantum leap your success. A large goal that could change your life dramatically. Carefully consider possible breakthrough goals for yourself. What would dramatically change your life? Instead of just running a 5K, set a breakthrough goal such as losing 35 pounds or totally eliminating the need for a certain medication. Instead of just volunteering at the polls, set a breakthrough goal to run for a local office or set a breakthrough goal to write a book or earn your master's degree or get your real estate license. Because a breakthrough goal has the power to transform your life, it also has the power to make 2018 your best year ever. Now this fact alone makes setting a breakthrough goal one of the most powerful things you can do for your future success and your future happiness. So follow these tips to make 2018 your best year ever. Now here's your homework to complete after watching this video. Did you make New Year's resolutions this year? Consider setting goals instead and remember to make sure they're specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time bound with a deadline. So thank you for watching today and remember, nothing will ever change for the better until you do. Now, if you found this video helpful, make sure you like it, share it with a friend who may need it, and subscribe to my channel for more videos like this one. And for some additional resources on goal setting, visit my website@jackcampfield.com thanks again for watching.