Spring into Action

As winter gives way to spring, perhaps, like me, you find yourself stirring from a post-holiday cocooning state. Maybe a few resolutions have faded away or you've gained a little weight. But instead of looking back with regret, why not take a cue from Mother Nature? Just as dormant branches sprout new buds and wrens build nests all over again, you can also renew.

Regardless of what you have or haven't done in the first 90 days of the year, begin again. That was then. This is now. It's time to march forward. Want to eat better, worry less, exercise more or reconnect with friends? Spring into action with these success strategies.

Don't Go Changin' to Try and Please Them Every journey begins with a destination, but success begins with a deep desire. A surefire way to sabotage any personal renewal is to attempt the change for someone else. If you're changing jobs because your folks don't like what you do, or you want to lose weight to please your spouse, or you want a bigger house to impress your friends, forget it. According to the expectancy theory of motivation, we put forth our best effort when the rewards are personally meaningful. To make sure you're setting goals from the inside out, try answering three questions: What changes would I like to see in my life? Why would I like to make them? How will I feel when I succeed?

What's Your 30-Day Plan? A goal without a plan is no more than a wish that leaves your future in the hands of fate. If you want to create the future you deserve, start with a plan. Where do you begin? First, get specific. What do you want? By when? How will you measure your success? Next, write down your goal on your calendar, on the last day of the month. Then break your goal into action steps and write each action on your calendar. Some steps you might only do once in the month; others you might do once a week. Some you might do daily. If you miss one, double up the next day. Just be sure that you do something in the direction of your goal every day. Use your 30-day plan to track your progress as well. Just check off each step as you complete it. At all times you'll know where you're going, how far you've come and what else you have to do to succeed.

Find Your Motivation Even the best-laid plans can get derailed if you don't maintain your energy and focus. Learn to recharge on a regular basis. Relax. Meditate. Share your goal (and progress) with a supportive friend. Acknowledge small successes every night. Give yourself a pep talk every morning. Ask for help if you get stuck. And remember that you can't drive forward looking in the rearview mirror. Focus on where you're going instead of where you've been, and imagine how you'll feel when you succeed. To march ahead, keep your eye on the prize.