We’ve all got goals we want to reach in the coming year, and 2011 is fast approaching. One thing many of us never stop asking for is success. We know there is always room for improvement, in ourselves and in our professional lives. But the change won’t come without a little more effort from our own self, so here are a few ways you can make sure 2011 is a successful year for you.
- Know what you want to do. Have a plan for yourself from the get-go. What do you want to do? What will make you feel happy and confident with yourself? Set daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly goals for yourself. Listen to the late great entrepreneur Jim Rohn: “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”
- Trim the fat. Take an assessment of the last year. What successes would you have liked to have made, but didn’t? What held you back? We all make excuses for ourselves; did you make any? What were they? Are there any obligations that kept you from succeeding in certain areas? Look at the answers to these questions, isolate the problems, and determine the solutions. This year, make a mental map with a straight line to your goal, whether that goal is a dream job, memorizing more Quran, or even saving up for a dream vacation.
- Get serious and motivated. This isn’t the time to sit and think, “Oh, it would be great if I could…” or “One day I really should…” It’s time to get your act together and get serious about what you want. Do you want to be a better worker? A better parent? A better spouse? A better Muslim? You’ll need the right attitude. Ask yourself, if lightning were to strike you in six months, what would you have wanted to get done? The time for hoping these changes will happen on their own is over. It’s time to make the changes happen yourself.
- Get active. Some Muslim Americans are having a hard time in their social, professional and spiritual lives. They’re losing out on promotions or job opportunities because of their beliefs. They want to learn more about their own faith, but they don’t know where to turn. Get active in your community, in your local Masjid, or in a civil rights organization, for example. Make helping others find success a part of your plan to be successful this year. Or join a soup kitchen or charity to help the poor. A successful Muslim is one who gives back.
- Widen your social circle. Part of the path to success lies in who you know. Having a wide and diverse social circle will open you up to different opportunities. Also, imagine what you can learn from the people you surround yourself with. Armed with those new skills, you will be able to take the steps that will get you closer to your goal.
Never stop thinking about how you can boost your productivity, increase your chances of success in your life. Take one step at a time: start with this year!
