I’m a New Year’s kind of guy! I love fresh starts. The chance to dust myself off as necessary and begin anew, anticipating better than what I’m currently experiencing.

Courtesy 123RF/rob bouwman

I have to admit though—there’s nothing magical about January 1. Any day and every day is a good day to make improvements—to change what isn’t working and begin new habits.

But there is something about the New Year that causes all of us to think a bit deeper about where we’re at and where we want to be.

I’d like to share a few simple steps with you today that will hopefully help your goal setting process and help you take big steps this year toward the person you truly want to be and were created to be.

There’s a lot of great resources available for setting life-changing goals. My comments below are simply highlights yet they represent the essence of what I do to help me move forward quickly and sustainably.

1. Create a target statement of what you want different in major areas of your life. Every journey begins by determining the destination. You have to have a target. What do you want to be different in your life one year from now? Think more in terms of whom want to become rather than what you want to accumulate or achieve. Write a statement for each area of your life describing the person you want to be.

2. Form new habits. You need to have a plan with specific actions that when done consistently, will help you become who you want to be. Consider what you should continue doing, stop doing, and start doing each week to attain your goal. Set a time for each routine or activity so that it becomes a habit.

3. Focus. Create daily affirmations to help you keep your priority goals front and center. There’s tremendous power in your self-talk. Say your target statements out loud and in the present tense.

4. Track your progress daily, then review weekly and monthly. Journal your wins and lessons learned each day. Review your progress each week and month to maintain momentum.

5. Tell someone. Having a good friend hold you accountable can be a huge advantage in bringing about the personal change you desire.

Whatever you do, don’t let this year filter through your fingers. Take charge of what you can. You don’t have to be a victim of circumstances or others’ agendas. Carve out some time this weekend, perhaps with your spouse, and set your target and chart your course to become a better version of you this year.

UPDATE: If you’d like my personal help to walk out the above, I can do that immediately! I’ll walk you through step-by-step with simple worksheets in my video course, 5 Steps To Becoming A Better You This Year! Become the person you truly want to be—and were created to be—simply and sustainably!