Fix up, look sharp - Paul Olasehinde (11/06/2015)

So a couple days ago we passed the halfway mark in 2015. We are now officially closer to 2016 than the beginning of 2015. Scary right? I always dedicate the first couple days of June for self-reflection, as it’s always a good time to take stock of what you have and haven’t achieved so far. Personally I think this should be a practice everyone does. So now I ask you dear reader, how has it been going? Have you reached some goals? Have you reached none? Are you finding yourself running out of fuel? Take some time out and think about those questions if you haven’t done so already. You might find that you’re doing better than you thought or maybe not as good as you should be.   

Like a lot of people I make goals at the beginning of the year and hope to have them all ticked off by the time the 31st of December 23:59 hits. Now, I’m aware not everybody makes them (I highly recommend you do) but I’m sure even in the back of your mind you have things you would like to do this year. They can be as big as wanting to start your own business or just making sure you smile more to your friends and strangers. The size of the goal isn’t paramount rather

Now if you’re on course or even better ticked off the majority of your goals that’s fine you’re on fire. But like a lot of teams after they’re 3-0 up at half time, they get complacent. Your biggest task is to come out with the same energy and motivation you displayed in the first half of the year, which isn’t as easy as it, sounds. To those who maybe the first part of the year didn’t go right there is still a massive 6 months to go and they could be the best 6 months of your life. You may feel like you’re 3-0 down at half time and I know the feeling your heads are low and if you’re not careful it can get worse. But you need to get back out there and show yourself what you’re capable of and turn the year around in your favour.  

Below are 4 quick points, which can help, sustain and better your year:

1. The past is the past

The past only provides lessons, so take note and face forward and keep it moving. You can’t go back so leave the past where it is. Remember, It’s not about how you fall but about how you recover.

2. Make realistic goals

Firstly, the most important word in the above title is realistic. Your goals must be realistic otherwise it makes giving up all too easy. Goals give you structure. Goals keep you looking ahead. Goals keep you accountable and lastly goals are motivational! So make goals long and short term, you’ll find yourself so much more productive.

3. Believe you can achieve

There is no point in starting if you don’t believe you can finish (still start though). If you don’t believe you can do it no matter how lovely the words are from someone else you will more times than often, fall short.

4. Don’t be afraid to fail

So it hits the 1st of January 2016 and you didn’t meet your entire goals, you didn’t even meet half! It is ok! Use that to kick-start the next year to make sure its better than the last. Don’t wallow and focus on tomorrow! Failure is hard to take but there can be grace in defeat.

Of course there are so many other points you can add so it’s tailor fit to your needs. But I believe with those tips up your sleeve you’re more than equipped to tackle the rest of 2015.

So brush yourself down, fix up look sharp and keep the momentum going. There is still a while to go. God didn’t build the world in 1 day he made a plan; so don’t get discouraged when your year doesn’t come together overnight. With time and planning you can look back on 2015 and wonder ‘how do I beat that?’ =]