Make 2015 your prisoner by following these easy steps.
By Henry Adeleye on December 31, 2014
2014 is pretty much a wrap. If there's something on your bucket list you've been waiting to do before the year is over, just give it up. A lot of things went well for a lot of people in 2014, but there were a lot of things that were left on the table. Some of those things you said you'd do this time last year didn't quite come to fruition. In fact, you probably don't even remember what you said you'd do this year. Let's make sure 2015 doesn't turn out the same way. Let's bounce back from any of 2014's setbacks. Let's make 2015 the year of happiness and changed mindsets, instead of making vague resolutions that you'll forget in a week (like cutting off all people whose names start with H). Follow these steps to make sure 2015 doesn't suck.
1. Put yourself first.
In 2015, learn to put yourself first. This doesn't mean you should be selfish, but it does mean that you should start focusing on things that will propel you forward, rather than being the ladder for other people to step on to reach the top. Learn to say no to things to keep yourself from stretching too thin. Remember, if you say no to something, you only feel bad for a moment. But if you say yes to something you don't really want to do, you feel bad for a really long time.
2. Stop waiting for the right time.
Life is too short to spend it waiting around for the perfect conditions to take a leap of faith. You'll never have enough time, money, or experience. Do it anyway. Besides, you'll learn that the more of these you get, the more other things that never crossed your mind before seem to just come in and take all of them away.
3. Get healthy.
This isn't where you say that you want to lose 10 pounds before 2016. That stuff never works. Focus on just being healthy. Healthy is a mindset. Once you get your mind on taking care of your body, eating the right foods, and becoming more active, the pounds will just fall off like Mike Smith's coaching career.
4. Start a new craft.
There's never been a better time for people with optimism and talent. You have both of those, so let's take this year to put them to work. Dedicate a few hours each day to whatever side project you've always wanted to bring to the world. Take it serious enough to get it to the level, where it becomes your main project instead of just a hobby.
5. Stop thinking someone is going to rescue you.
You know, there's really only one person who can make your dreams come true (holds up mirror and points it directly at your face). No matter how you got to where you are, you're in the driver's seat to take your life to the next level. Once you realize that, the rest comes easy.
6. Become a weirdo.
Do things differently. Change your mindset. Figure out what everyone else is doing and do the exact opposite. If most people are shrugging off their health, be as healthy as can be. If most people are content with being stagnant, move fast and break things. You can't achieve extraordinary things by being ordinary. So, be weird.
7. Create a vision board.
You've probably heard people talking about vision boards before. Now is the time to actually create one and get the things you want in life on paper. A vision board is pretty much just a collage of all the things you aspire to in life. It works because it forces you to make your goals tangible. Learn how to make one right here. Write down your goals and set deadlines for when you want to achieve them.
8. Form a mastermind group.
A mastermind group is a group of individuals who work together to reach a common goal. It's conventional wisdom to think you can do everything yourself, but the reality is that two heads are better than one. 1 + 1 = 3. Every founder has co-founders. Create your all-star team. Find out how to get started here.
9. Let go of anger and vengeance.
Leave all the drama in 2014, where it belongs. Make up with old enemies, or just learn to move on altogether. When you're building the road to your dreams, lingering disputes are like potholes.
10. Make time.
Time is of the essence. It's something we always need more of and never have enough of. The truth, though, is that we make time for the things that we care about. With that being said, make time for family. Make time for friends. Make time for love. And most of all, make time for a positive, productive, and fun year!