10 Ways to Kick-Start your New Year for Success: Part 1

Every year, many of us make resolutions and after a few days, weeks or months, we seem to forget about them…So, let’s talk about ways you can kick-start this new year 2022 for a year of success for you, personally and professionally, even if you’re living with anxiety. As a life coach (NYC) and mindset coach, I’d like to discuss 10 ways to move forward for 2022 and then, next week, we’ll continue with more ideas and ways you can kick-start your new year for success, self-empowerment and joy!

1)First, know what your OWN version of SUCCESS is and what it looks like, feels like, etc. I put this step first because it’s vital. If you don’t know your own definition of success, you may follow the proper and necessary steps but be on the wrong path and towards the wrong goal or intention………..for you.

Here's an example: For one person, success might mean having a wonderful family, having lots of money and living in a nice house in a nice area. For another, success may be the ability to be free to travel around the world, while working in a field that aligns with their heart and spirit. There are as many different versions of success as there are people. We are each unique snowflakes and that’s what makes the idea of success so exciting, while also being scary. There are so many choices………….!

There is no right or wrong, or good or bad, when it comes to your definition of your success (providing you’re not doing something hurtful, violent or illegal).

EXERCISE: do a visualization, involving all your senses and then, write down (pen to paper) what comes up as your ‘dream(s)’ for success. Do this for both your career and for your personal life.

Don’t worry if your visualization seems wild, crazy, ‘unrealistic’, etc. No judging or evaluation here. Just quiet your mind and body, use your intuition, imagination and creativity and write it down. If you get out of your head and let your inner voice speak, you’ll get ideas that most closely align with who you really are, why you’re here (purpose) and what you’re meant to do. You may see your passions and priorities present themselves ….. This is just for you!

2) Change your thoughts, change your life, change your world. Now, you can continue the above exercise by writing down the goals and intentions you’ve often dreamed of but didn’t dare imagine for yourself or your life. Write down a list of your most important intentions for your life, as if you’re looking back, from the end of your life. Go big here; we will break these bigger intentions down into smaller, more doable steps.

But first, the basics have to change; the underlying beliefs and thoughts, laying in your subconscious mind, that are limiting you or holding you back, like, ‘I’m not lovable,’ or ‘I’m not worthy,’ or ‘I don’t deserve this,’ or ‘I’m not………..enough’ (fill in the blank).

These unhelpful patterns have to be brought from the subconscious to your conscious awareness. Then, they can be questioned and worked through. As a Life Coach (NYC) and Mindset Coach, this is a big part of the work I do with clients, so they can reconnect to who they really are and take action to live it. This creates freedom, joy, peace and contentment…….there’s nothing better.

3)Expand your Thinking: Get out of the box.

Yep; it’s a new year and it’s time to stretch yourself and get out of that box or comfort zone. You can do it in small steps. Just take that first step and create new experiences and patterns.

EXERCISE: For the next 30 days (let’s say January, 2022), do something new. Some examples include: move/dance/exercise for 20 minutes, eat well, sleep well, listen to only positive music, stop watching the news, create a self-care regimen, smile or give words of appreciation to others, etc. This starts to create a new neural pathway (circuit) in your brain, which creates a new habit. This new habit will eventually become automatic, when you repeat and practice it enough. Just one step at a time………

4)Life Intention List:

Center and calm your body and mind and write down a life goal or dream list.

EXERCISE: I call this the Deathbed exercise or Eulogy exercise. Looking back at your life, as you’re on your deathbed, what do you want to have been, and done in your life, so that you die feeling fulfilled, at peace and that your life was meaningful? Or you can think of it another way: what do you want others to say about you at your eulogy? Examples: She was a wonderful mother, independent, opinionated but she was always there, loved me and taught me to be myself. She was also a healer; her purpose was to help others, whether it was physically, mentally, emotionally….She was a loyal friend, loved to travel and meet new people, loved to learn, was so curious about the world and people and just had a ‘joie de vivre,’ though she had been through a lot of challenges. Or, he was an amazing friend and physician, always there for his patients and his loved ones. He knew his calling, to help and heal and he did. Or, she was one-of-a-kind, a strong single mom, artist, traveler, lover of food and life and especially of those she had in her life.

You get the picture.

Once you’ve made your list, leave it alone for a while. Come back later and feel (more in your body sensations than in your head) what calls to you, even if it doesn’t necessarily feel ‘practical’ or ‘realistic.’ Your inner voice may be telling you things you need to pay attention to!

5)Start a Business or Career plan.

If you’re thinking of starting your business or changing your career direction, then start acting on it. Write down your ideas and start working on a business plan. If you’re not sure how, buy a book, look it up on the internet, take a class or course or ask someone with experience and expertise in your field.

6)Write a personal mission statement.

You can do this in combination with the visualization above. Who are you, authentically? Why are you here? What are you meant to do?

You can do this by yourself but it is very helpful to get a coach/mentor, who has had experience and success and can help to guide you towards positive change, while keeping you accountable and on track--------on your unique path to success and joy.

7)Let other people’s opinions go. You can’t please everyone. Not everyone will like you, no matter what you say or do. Don’t waste your time or energy worrying about what others think. It’s your life. Time is precious. Those who will love you, will love you.

8)Write your top 10 goals for this coming year and put them where you can see them (bathroom mirror, on or next to your computer, etc.). This is also related to the above visualization. Once you get to the bigger intentions for your life and career, then it’s time to create your goals, which are time and place specific.

Focus on the 10 goals that mean the most to you. When you look back in 10 years or at the end of your life, you want to have accomplished these goals. These are the ones to choose. Put them in order of importance to you, starting with #1 being the most important.

9)Take Action:

Now, it’s time to get more specific and take action. Again, having an ally by your side can make this bumpy road of self-awareness, self-discovery and self-acceptance, smoother and will aid you in getting to the specifics in a faster, easier and more effective way.

10) Have some fun! Wishing you the very best of Happy Holidays & a Happy New Year 2022!

With smiles and love,

Dr Gigi

PS: This holiday season is a time for joy, peace and love and for many, can be trying and anxiety-producing. I’m around, so feel free to be in touch. You can reach me @www.gigiarnaud.com or @drgigiarnaud on Instagram, Facebook, Linked In.

Change your Thoughts, Change your Life, Change your World