I woke up this morning and I wanted to be inspired! Its the New Year and like many others I’m sure,  I feel apathetic and sluggish. Yes, I had a lovely time, but the festivities are now over and excuses to eat, drink and spend too much are now gone for another year.

Its not just about losing weight and getting fit, the New Year heralds new starts in lots of areas of our lives;  it may mean finally deciding that the time is now to look for a new job, relationship or home. Perhaps it’s time to start that novel you have been meaning to, or take up a new hobby. Its a wonderful time to try something different or decide to change some aspect of your life.

Whatever you would like to do, identify it and commit to do something about it. Have you a goal in mind, or are you simply stuck in a rut and unsure how to move forward? Perhaps you have tried before and failed, or maybe you don’t know where to start. If that’s the case think about what matters most to you now and where you would like to be this time next year.

New beginnings, while exciting, are also a bit frightening,  but taking the first step is always the hardest. Make a decision to not spend any more time thinking about it and try to put in place things that you know will keep you on track. For example, talking about your goal with those around you, or writing a journal. Find a role model if possible,  and read up on their success.

Visualise yourself having achieved the goal … and very importantly do not dwell on previous attempts that have not brought about the result you hoped for. Remember, anything is possible! A believable visualisation will give you the impetus to move forward, and  instead of having to push, you will be pulled toward it. The following 7 statements should underline why you need to make that goal a reality:

1. If you don’t go for it, no one else will on your behalf. 

2. You cannot change what you have not accepted.

3. You alone create your own history.

4. Life rewards action.

5. We teach others how to treat us.

6. Forgive  yourself and open your eyes to what anger and resentment are doing to you.

7. Believe in yourself.

Conversely there are 7 barriers that can stop or at least delay you in reaching your goals, read them and be aware how any of these may affect your journey.

1. Denial.  Ask yourself how long you have pretended that there is no need to change/strive for this goal.. or that it will just happen without any effort on your behalf.

2. Not being clear about the goal/focus. Vague goals result in vague successes. Be very clear and honest with yourself.

3. Apathy. Coasting along is such a easy way to escape having to face challenges and move forward. Coasting is not going to get you what you want.

4. Perfectionism. Very common this one, I have worked with a lot of people who give up on something because they can’t be perfect at it and are unable to try without feeling inadequate.

5. Self Sabotage.  Sometimes people don’t want to change. This is because they are terrified of what change may bring. Sabotaging the process and “failing” is sometimes easier to handle.

6. Past failures. What better way to be put off than to remember what happened last time. But this time it can be different, if you decide it will be.

7. Waiting / procrastination. There is never going to be a perfect time to start, there will always be a party coming up for example, when trying to commit to losing weight, but make the decision to start tomorrow and you won’t regret it.

If you are still requiring inspiration… have a read of the quotes below. I have picked them as they never fail to inspire me.

“Do not let others define you and your life. Do not be defined by other people’s expectations of you. Do not be defined by time, either by what you’ve done up to this point, as that is the past, or by your ambitions, as that is the future. Tune into yourself and define yourself by being your authentic true self in every given moment. Find out what things feel good for your soul and do that. That’s the freedom that you have” – Nirin Sawhney

“All the answers that we want are within us. Live your own life. Walk your own path.” – Dr Maki Mandela

“Always believe that when you apply yourself, you can achieve anything… don’t forget, natural ability will only get you so far, there is no substitute for practice” – Andy Murray

“The secret darling, is to love everyone you meet. From the moment you meet them. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt….but get rid of any of the bastards that let you down” – Joanna Lumley

”Look fear in the eyes and say, I am coming for you.”  – Leila Ali

”Just do one thing. And aim to become best in the world at it.” – Jony Ive

”If you put your head on a pillow late at night and think it hasn’t been a good day, wake up the next day and change something.  It could be anything, but change something… Don’t just drag on a set of circumstances which just aren’t falling into the right places. You’ve got to listen to and then act on that inner spark” – Joan Bakewell

“I’ve had old fashioned newspaper critics write, ‘She’s very ambitious’ as if it’s a negative because I’m a woman. But I think, ‘Too bloody right I’m ambitious, why shouldn’t I be? Should I want to come second?” – Clare Balding

“I learnt early that when bad things happen you can either let them beat you or you can stand up and fight. And if you do, you can always turn things around.”- Jo Malone

”The only way barriers exist is in our heads. We create them, we feed them, and we choose to keep them alive.”- Katie Piper

”The most important thing is don’t look back on what has happened. Instead look forward to what you can do. Just crack on”- Corporal Andy Reid

I hope that the above has inspired you, these quotes certainly mean a lot to me. But my favourite, the one that inspires me more than all the others is very simple and I shall end with that ❤️

“Get off your arse and do something” – Sandi Toksvig