Wendel Abel - I AM WHAT I THINK TOMORROW IS the beginning of a new year. As we plan for the New Year here are some tips to facilitate the achievement of your goals and dreams.
1. Create a personal vision for yourself. Without vision the people perish. State what you want to achieve and where you see yourself going this year. It is important that we create a personal vision for our family and ourselves. I certainly hope our leaders will wake up and create a sense of vision for the country.
2. Define your goals and objectives. These should be clear, realistic and measurable. If you want to purchase a house. Don't specify I want a big house. That is too vague. When our goals are too vague they dissipate into thin air. Be specific and realistic. Create a clear path in terms to achieve these goals.
3. Be prepared to achieve your goals in stages. Many persons set goals that are too grandiose and not achievable in a year or a short period of time. Remember for many persons the things they achieve are achieved over a lifetime.
4. Try to work this year in teams or groups. Whether it is losing weight, buying that house or starting a business. Sometimes, it may not be practical to go it alone. We have to learn to work in teams and group. A group of persons working together can achieve far more than one person struggling with an idea or a dream. Explore the possibility of teaming up with friends, colleagues or family members. Want to stop smoking or lose weight? Get a group going that will work towards this resolution. For 2004 team up and go!
5. Think and act outside of the box. Explore different alternatives this year. Try new approaches. Don't be trapped in the old, tired way of doing things. Your business is struggling, try a new approach! Your relationship is not going well, try another approach! If you keep on doing what you have always done you will get what you have always got. So for 2004 move outside of that old box.
6. Save, save and save this year. Many of us are bogged down with heavy debts and a lifestyle of conspicuous consumption. Take a different approach this year. Borrow less and save more.
7. Don't spend your time fighting alligators. Drain the swamp. A man was sent to drain a swamp in order to get rid of the alligators. Instead he spent his time fighting the alligators. The end result was that he was beaten and eaten up. All he had to do was drain the swamp. Stop fighting the alligators of this life, expend your energy in draining the swamp. Plan and develop a strategy to achieve.
8. Remember to take time out for yourself this year. If things have not been going your way, especially in your personal relationships, take time out to work on yourself this year instead of trying to change other persons around you. Take adequate time to relax, pamper yourself and love yourself and work on yourself and strive to be a better, happier and kinder human being.
So in 2004, take time out and plan. Those who fail to plan are planning to fail. I wish you a productive, prosperous, wealthy and healthy New Year.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a Consultant
Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer, University
of the West Indies.
