People magazine recently asked the U.S. first lady, Michelle Obama, if she could go back in time, what words of wisdom would she give to her younger self.  “If I could give my younger self just one piece of advice, it would be this: Stop being so afraid! That’s really what strikes me when I look back – the sheer amount of time I spent tangled up in fears and doubts that were entirely of my own creation,” said the First Lady.

This is an excellent practice for all of us, especially as we crest into a new year.  Looking back can have one of two effects – it can either move you forward or it can hold you back.

Back and Forth

When you look back, it is important to keep your focus forward.  Think of driving a car – looking in the rear view mirror on occasion, when you have already established your forward focus, increases your safety and your forward movement.  If, on the other hand, you look behind you while you are moving forward in a fashion that is haphazard or while you are trying to move into another lane, they you run the risk of swerving off course. It’s important to establish your forward movement first.  Take a moment and write out your vision for yourself. Write down three things you have done in the past week to move yourself towards that vision.  Then write down three things you have done in the past month and the six months and the past year to move yourself forward.  That will keep your focus straight ahead on the lane you want to be driving in.

All Grown Up

A new monthly series in the UK’s The Guardian asks women in leadership to write an article on advice to their younger selves.  Cookery entrepreneur Hari Ghotra wrote in November 2014 that she is fulfilling her dream of bringing Indian food to the masses with an online Indian cookery school. “I would encourage my younger self to savour the good ones (experiences) and learn from the not so good ones (experiences).”

Looking back farther than just the year, into the lives of our younger selves can bring about an understanding of the pitfalls that we keep tripping into.  First Lady Obama recalled a habit of doubting herself while entrepreneur Ghotra recounted that ups and downs in her past should be viewed as learning steps.  This new year’s take some time to see what lessons from your younger self can assist you in building the skills that will bring you success in your business.  How can you apply the lessons of your past to the plans you have for your future? Enjoy the trip back but remember to bring back only what you need to keep you moving forward.

In order to accomplish your goals and your dreams, you must first know what they are!  You must know with unwavering certainty exactly what you want, where you see yourself, and where you want to be next year at this same time.  Often we have a general feeling – I wish I was in my dream job, I want to own my own business – only about what we want to be or do.  But then we feel discouraged that we aren’t there yet.  But where is there?  You must define and refine your goals.  What is your dream job? What business do you see yourself running? Name it.  Design it.  Create it on paper.  Know exactly what your goals are and keep them in front of you if you want to create the path to success.

In September 2014, Real Simple magazine asked readers to share what success means to them.  Being at peace was one of the top answers as proof that they were a success.  It is vital to your success that you experience both peace and motivation.  Both will keep you moving forward. Steve Harvey, comedian and author of the book Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success, has said that the ‘road to success is always under construction’. If you are waiting to arrive at your destination to feel peace, you may never get there, for as this quote implies, your success is always about your growing and moving forward.  Keep growing and your success will grow.  Learn to be at peace in the transitions, in the resting places, and in the leaps forward.  Your sense of peace that you are moving in the direction you should be going, comes from having those detailed goals.  That peace will motivate you to keep going forward.

Each New Year brings us the possibility of achieving our goals.  In truth, every day we have this same possibility to step into our dreams and make them a reality.  January simply reminds us of that daily opportunity, so take hold of it and move forward..  So yes, write your resolutions and make your goals. If you wait to start your business or step forward in your career until you are completely set financially or completely at peace, you may never start. For your business dreams to come to fullness, you need to have a plan.  That is the key to your success—have a plan and follow it to get you where you want to go.

Each New Year brings us the possibility of achieving our goals. In truth, every day we have this same possibility to step into our dreams and make them a reality. January simply reminds us of that daily opportunity. So yes, write your resolutions and make your goals. Here are three steps you can take to remember those goals each and every day of this year.

Accomplish Your Goals & Dreams

In order to accomplish your goals and your dreams, you must first know what they are! You must know with unwavering certainty exactly what you want, where you see yourself, and where you want to be next year at this same time. Often we have a general idea – I wish I was in my dream job, I want to own my own business – and we feel discouraged that we aren’t there yet. But where is there? You must define and refine your goals. What is your dream job? What business do you see yourself running? Name it. Design it. Create it on paper. Know exactly what your goals are and keep them in front of you if you want to create the path to success.

Each New Year brings us the possibility of achieving our goals. In truth, every day we have this same possibility to step into our dreams and make them a reality. January simply reminds us of that daily opportunity. So yes, write your resolutions and make your goals. Here are three steps you can take to remember those goals each and every day of this year.

Accomplish Your Goals & Dreams

In order to accomplish your goals and your dreams, you must first know what they are! You must know with unwavering certainty exactly what you want, where you see yourself, and where you want to be next year at this same time. Often we have a general idea – I wish I was in my dream job, I want to own my own business – and we feel discouraged that we aren’t there yet. But where is there? You must define and refine your goals. What is your dream job? What business do you see yourself running? Name it. Design it. Create it on paper. Know exactly what your goals are and keep them in front of you if you want to create the path to success.

Be at Peace

In September 2014, Real Simple magazine asked readers to share what success means to them. Being at peace was one of the top answers as proof that they were a success. It is vital to your success that you experience both peace and motivation. Both will keep you moving forward. Steve Harvey, comedian and author of the book Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success, has said that the ‘road to success is always under construction’. If you are waiting to arrive at your destination to feel peace, you may never get there, for as this quote implies, your success is always about your growing and moving forward. Keep growing and your success will grow. Learn to be at peace in the transitions, in the resting places, and in the leaps forward. Your sense of peace that you are moving in the direction you should be going, comes from having those detailed goals. That peace will motivate you to keep going forward.

Create Financial Stability

Another important aspect of success identified in Real Simple’s survey was being financially stable. If you wait to start your business or step forward in your career until you are completely set financially, may mean you never start. It may mean you spend your time securing your finances rather than living your dream. For your business dreams to come to fullness, you need to have a plan. That is the key to your success—have a financial plan and follow it to get you where you want to go.

In September 2014, Real Simple magazine asked readers to share what success means to them. Being at peace was one of the top answers as proof that they were a success. It is vital to your success that you experience both peace and motivation. Both will keep you moving forward. Steve Harvey, comedian and author of the book Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success, has said that the ‘road to success is always under construction’. If you are waiting to arrive at your destination to feel peace, you may never get there, for as this quote implies, your success is always about your growing and moving forward. Keep growing and your success will grow. Learn to be at peace in the transitions, in the resting places, and in the leaps forward. Your sense of peace that you are moving in the direction you should be going, comes from having those detailed goals. That peace will motivate you to keep going forward.

Create Financial Stability

Another important aspect of success identified in Real Simple’s survey was being financially stable. If you wait to start your business or step forward in your career until you are completely set financially, may mean you never start. It may mean you spend your time securing your finances rather than living your dream. For your business dreams to come to fullness, you need to have a plan. That is the key to your success—have a financial plan and follow it to get you where you want to go.