The time has come when we start to make plans and resolutions for the upcoming new year. We set lofty goals and have all sorts of intentions of being better than we were the previous year.

But we often fall short because we take our past failures, disappointments and other baggage into the new year with us.  You cannot be successful or achieve new goals with old thoughts and behaviors. You have to start fresh!
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Here are some tips for starting 2016 with a clean slate:

1. Let go- It sounds simple but it is really hard for some of us to close chapters of our lives that have ended. Whether it is a relationship or a job or a bad business deal,  you have got to know when to get out and move on. Let go of anything that does not uplift or help you grow into the person you were meant to be! 

2. Forgive- Stop holding grudges because they keep you rooted in the past. If someone did something bad to you in 2015, do not take those feelings of anger and betrayal into 2016. Forgive people for their wrongdoings and accept they are human and flawed (just like you) because you do not want those negative vibes to keep you from being great in 2016. Also, forgive yourself for not meeting all of your goals in 2015 or for not being the best version of yourself. Adjust your attitude towards positivity and be confident that 2016 is your year!

3.  Focus- Get tunnel vision. In 2016 do not worry about what the competition is doing. Focus on how you can be the best version of yourself, or how you can deliver the best service or product. Do not take distractions and noise with you into 2016. Stop comparing your journey to someone else's– instead figure out what makes you different from everyone else and work on fine tuning those skills and traits. 
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Make yourself a promise that you will get out of your own way in 2016 and do not take destructive or unproductive behavior into the new year.  I hope 2016 is your best year yet!
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The dictionary definition of success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.  I've always viewed the word "success" as something subjective because depending on what you are trying to accomplish, your success will be different from someone who has a different goal.  

For example, if I'm trying to lose twenty pounds and I achieve that goal then that is considered a success for me. However that does not mean someone who is twenty pounds overweight is considered a failure because losing weight may not have been one of their goals.

This is part of the problem when talking about success in general terms. We often use the same measuring stick that others are using to measure their success when our goals or path is not the same. I think that is what keeps us from really living our best lives is because we don't have a clear idea of what success means to us. We only know what society says about success.

This also holds true for people who may have similar goals...using the weight loss example, let's say I want to lose twenty pounds and so does my Facebook friend, Amy. Amy hits her goal in two months and I'm not even halfway there. So does that mean I failed? Not necessarily. Was my goal to lose twenty pounds in two months? Did Amy maybe take supplements or have weight loss surgery or perhaps our metabolism is different?

Success is based an individual achievements. Whether it's weight loss, launching a business or getting new clients.  We have to focus on our own efforts, not what Amy is doing, not what Tracie is doing or anyone else. We have to stop worrying so much about the end result and just do the work at our own pace. We all get there eventually if we just stay the course and have faith in our abilities.

My kids are back in school.  MY KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL! As a WAHM (work at home mom) I can't tell to you how excited I am about this!!

I am realizing I need more routine than my children. I'm looking forward to getting back on the track -literally- I haven't been on the walking/running track in months!

I am also looking forward to interruption free work days and getting started on some of the projects on my calendar. On the horizon before year end:

1. New podcast
2. New online shop
3. New book release 

In the pipeline for the first quarter of 2016:

-Writing/Publishing webinar

I'm so excited and feeling energized and ready to focus on finishing the year strong! Sending positive vibes to everyone out there with goals they are trying to finish before the end of the year!