Plot Consultant

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We all charge together like a herd of buffalo into the new year, filled with optimism — this is the year I’m going to _____!

Fill in the blank:

  • run a marathon
  • finish my memoir
  • lose weight
  • count to 10 before losing my patience
  • ask for a raise
  • start my own business
  • learn a new language
  • self-publish my novel
  • boogie board everyday

Great news! There is still time to set goals for 2016. Actually, there is plenty of time to set realistic and inspired goals for 2016. Even if, after having started out strong and even held your resolve for the first couple of weeks, you’re already beginning to flounder, hesitate, second-guess yourself and backslide. Don’t give up. Instead, view 2016 from a different angle and create a plan for success that works this year. 

Our new year begins on January 1st. The lunar new year doesn’t begin until Monday, February 8th. Another way to view the new year is through the seasons of the year. 

If one uses the seasons as a template for the new year, Winter represents the 1st 1/4 and beginning of the new year. Our Winter solstice, which happened on December 22, 2015 in the northern hemisphere, marks when we begin traveling out of darkness and farthest from the sun nearer to the light. That means we’ve already traveled one month into the new year. And, good news! we have two more months to go before we enter the exotic world of the middle of the year. Still time to set goals for 2016

Take these next two months to prepare. Assess where you are now and where you wish to be in 11 months or by Winter Solstice 2016. Decide what you need to do during each season to arrive at your desired destination.

1) The long-view

  • The Beginning (1/4):
    • Plan now for what you need to do in the next 2 months to prepare for success 
  • The Emerging Middle (1/4)
    • Mark your calendar by the month for the specific steps you plan to achieve between Spring Equinox (March 21st) and Summer Solstice (June 21st) 
  • The Dark Middle (1/4)
    • Mark your calendar by the month for the specific steps you plan to achieve in the three months between Summer Solstice (June 21st) and Fall Equinox (September 21st)
  • The End (1/4)
    • Mark on your calendar by month the specific steps you plan to achieve in the three months between Fall Equinox (September 21st) and December Solstice (December 21st)

View the year as a whole and then analyze each of the parts. Take into consideration that the Dark Middle (which trips up the best of us) takes place during the summer months and make any necessary adjustments. 

Take your time
Be realistic
Arrange a schedule you know you can achieve
Set yourself up for success
Great good luck
This is your year to shine!