80% of New Year's Resolutions fail by February (according to the internet).
I bet it's closer to 90%, but I'll play along.
Don't start this year setting goals (like you did last year).
Instead, create an Anti-Vision - more on that in a second.
If you're running a business, here's some truth:
You didn't start a business only to feel trapped by it.
Your business should provide the freedom that you had once hoped for.
And I bet you'd like to enter 2024 with intention.
Living with intention is not only recommended, but it's mandatory.
Every decision you make (and do not make) casts a vote for the type of person you are, and are becoming.
But when you don't have a vision, you become a part of someone else's.
Read that again.
A vision is a driving force. It's your compass. Your north star.
But most business owners don't have a vision.
Not one for their business, let alone their personal life.
Every day they wake up, and carry out a set of predetermined actions and behaviours, hoping it will create a better future.
But it doesn't.
The vision isn't clear.
And not strong enough to create lasting change.
And that's why most goals aren't achieved.
You aren't the problem.
Goal setting is the problem.
If you're setting goals right now, what's different about this year versus last year?
Last year, you were also motivated to make a change.
But the change didn't happen, or it didn't last.
Why would this year be any different?
Most goal-setting frameworks don't work.
You set a target, hope to stay motivated for 52 weeks, and that's it.
If it doesn't work, you repeat next year, except you try a little harder.
Traditional goal setting is flawed.
You still with me?
That changes for you in 2024, with your Anti-Vision.
An Anti-Vision is the opposite of what you want your life to look like.
This vision contains everything you DON'T want.
Most people don't know what they want.
But most people have an idea of what they DON'T want.
Grab a notebook, let's work on your Anti-Vision.
Here are some great questions to get you thinking:
• what do you NOT want life to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your friends to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your health to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your day to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your morning routine to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your evening routine to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your phone habits to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your diet to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your health to look like in 12 months?
• what do you NOT want your bank account to look like in 12 months?
You get the idea.
So if you've never hit the goals you set out for yourself, how about trying something different this year?
In my experience, the pursuit of gaining pleasure is great.
But the avoidance of feeling pain is a far greater motivator.
Create your anti-vision, and set yourself up for the best year ever (so far).
I hope that you DO NOT get in 2024 what you DO NOT want.
And Helen Keller said it better than I ever could: "the only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision".
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If this post resonated, I'd love to hear in the comments below.
