Get Focused in 2016: Three Easy Options For Accomplishing More

Hello, 2016!

I love the New Year's season. It's a good time to reflect upon past things and make plans for the future. Even if those plans become thwarted by events outside of your control, a plan means you are intending to go somewhere or do something. As Mark Twain said, Plan for the future because that's where you're going to spend the rest of your life. 

As SLPs, we write goals and objectives on a daily basis. We carefully chose words, percentages and criteria to measure the functional progress of our patients, but, I'm curious...do you have a goal for your life? Let's look at three easy ways to get clear and accomplish more in 2016.

Make Resolutions

Some people begin the new year by making resolutions. These are simple promises to do an act of self-improvement or something nice for others. Common resolutions include: eat healthy, exercise more, stress less, volunteer, get organized and be happy. 

As simple as they can be, resolutions are likely to be abandoned within a few months, and people who make resolutions experience an 88% failure rate. Nonetheless, making a resolution can be the baby step you need to take before you can set realistic goals for yourself.

Set Goals

Goals are what take us forward in life: they give us focus, allow us to measure progress and give us motivation.  Goal setting involves envisioning, planning, committing to and achieving a desired end point.  If you ask me, setting goals will keep you performing at your best and should be a consistent part of your personal and professional routine. 

Experts (and my dad) agree that there are 7 keys areas to consider when setting goals:  career, financial, spiritual, physical, intellectual, family and social. It may sound like a lot, but researchers tell us that people who set goals have more success, earn more money and are generally happier people than those who don't. Sounds good to me!

If you need help  writing goals, the internet, as always, is an excellent source of information and inspiration.  Maybe you need to start from the beginning? Read this article:  The Beginner's Guide to Goal Setting. Looking for a worksheet to actually hash out your goals? Try this SMART goal setting worksheet. 

Create a Vision Board

Creating a vision board is another great way to prepare for a prosperous new year. If you have already defined your plans, a vision board allows you to illustrate them visually. This powerful tool serves as your image of the future- it represents your dreams, your goals and your ideal life. Because your mind responds strongly to visual stimulation, by representing your goals with pictures and images, you can actually increase your success.

To do this, find pictures that represent or symbolize the experiences, feelings and possessions you want in your life, and place them on your board. Position your board in an open area place where it is easy to see and regularly spend time visualizing, affirming, believing and internalizing your goals. 

Need help? Use this link to learn how to create a vision board to make your ideal life your reality. Give it a try....it's really fun AND it works!


No matter which method you choose for achieving your dreams, it all boils down to this:

1. Have a plan
2. Know the plan
3. Work the plan

It's just that simple!


As you go about your work this week, contemplate the dream, the direction and the plans you have for your life.  I encourage you to make a resolution, write down your goals or create a vision board, but more than anything, I hope you enjoy a super 2016!


Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.
Tony Robbins