5 Secrets to Make 2017 the BEST YEAR EVER

make 2017 the best year ever

Imagine for a moment that it’s December 31, 2017, and you’re looking back at the past year – was it the best year ever?

What do you see?

Do you see a year filled with success and triumph or do you see a year filled with struggle, stress, and almosts?

While many people want their year to fall into the first category, they don’t take the necessary steps to actually make it happen. The steps aren’t hard, but you do need to actually take them to see results.

And the reason people fail to take the necessary steps is because they don’t have a plan.

Over the past few years, I’ve invested time and money into studying what will get results. I’m going to reveal to you the system that I’ve developed and use that has helped me not only launch Go Social Experts but turn it into a success.

Step One: Review what happened this past year.

In the past, I’ve always looked ahead and hadn’t looked back. After all I lived it, what more could I possibly learn from spending any time in the past?

Plenty, it turns out!

Once I started looking back I found that many times, when I didn’t reach my goals, the same obstacles were popping up in my path. After I identified them and made plans to tackle or avoid the obstacles, my success rate skyrocketed.

infographic new years resolution

While you’re reviewing your year here are some other questions to consider:

  • What did you accomplish in the past year?
  • What kept you from reaching your goals?
  • Where did you exceed your goals?
  • What did you do in 2016 that moved your forward?
  • What held you back?

If you have a journal that’s a great place to start, and if you don’t have a journal consider starting one this year.

Journaling has become one of the tools I use regularly to keep me on track and it doesn’t take much time.

If you want a simple effective system to journaling check out bulletjournal.com. There is a five-minute video that outlines a simple journaling system that will have you up and running in the five minutes and you can use in a few minutes a day.

If you don’t have a journal or you want more information you can use;

  • Your calendar
  • Your social media posts
  • Your emails
  • Pictures

As you can see there are many ways to review your year. As you do you’ll find activities and events you had forgotten about.

Step Two: Know what you want your year to look like.

This is step two of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits Of Effective People.

Begin with the end in mind.

If you don’t know where you’re going you can’t get there.

Many of us have a vague idea of where there is and we know we’re working towards a better place, but what exactly is better?

To make this work you must write this out. Take the time to sit down and write out what your year is going to look like.

You may find it easier do it in past tense. Pretend it’s December 31st, 2017 and you’re writing out everything that’s happened this year. When you do that you may feel like you’re writing someone else’s story and the words flow better.

Step Three: Why do you want it?

Now you know what you want but why do you want it?

Knowing why you want to achieve the plan you’ve written will help keep you going during the tough times. And there will be tough times – times that make you want to abandon your goals.

If your why is strong enough to keep you striving towards your goals you will see success.

If your why doesn’t excite you and keep you moving forward, maybe you should change your vision for the year… Just saying.

Step Four: Get ready to execute.

Now it’s time to look at the steps you’re going to take to reach your vision. (The plan you wrote in step two.)

It’s time to stop thinking/talking/hoping/dreaming and start doing.

Begin by writing out your action steps. Be detailed and avoid vague statements.

Once that’s done, schedule them. What day, week or month are you going to accomplish each one of them so you can tell if you’re on track to reach your year-end goal?

After you have written your action plan and have everything scheduled take a few minutes to review the steps. Then ask yourself the questions below.

  • Based on my results from 2016 are the steps realistic?
  • Did I give myself enough time? Too much time?
  • Is my why strong enough to keep me moving
  • Is my plan the same as it was in 2017? Did it work for me last time?

If the answers to the above excite you and tell you that you’re ready – GREAT!

If you find that you may have overreached a bit or didn’t set realistic expectations, then you may want to start over. Unless you believe you can reach them from the beginning, you’re never going to push yourself to reach your goals. In fact, you’ll probably just fall back into old habits and keep getting the results you’ve always gotten.

Once you know you have a plan that you can accomplish and you’re super excited to get started…

Step Five: Commit to executing your plan!!

This isn’t an exercise to do so you can say you have a plan. This is you, metaphorically looking yourself and your livelihood in the eye and making a promise.

We’ve created a FREE pledge for you to print and sign. You can access it HERE.

Put this somewhere that you’ll see it often. It may seem silly, but making this promise to yourself on paper will make it seem more real.

Keeping it at the forefront of your mind will keep you focused on what is important and will motivate you to complete the steps you set for yourself.

After all if all you do is read this article (and some of the others you’ll find this time of year) your next year will look remarkably like the one that just passed. Taking the time to put this plan into action is what will make a difference in your life.

Have a Happy New Year!

Brian Hahn

P.S. If increasing your sales is one of your steps, have you looked at changing your marketing? If Facebook isn’t bringing you a steady stream of new customers or clients, you may want to look at how you’re using Facebook. We’re having a year-end special on Smart Facebook Marketing -our online training program for Do It Yourself Facebook Marketing. You can save $100 if you buy before Midnight January 1. 2017. Click Here for more info.