How Can You Improve Your AIM?

How Can You Improve Your AIM?

O.K. it’s 2006 and it’s time to make sure you are heading in the right direction. No time like the beginning of a new year to re-evaluate your goals, purpose, strategies, behaviors and ultimately your aim in life.

One of the critical elements in all aspects of life is to have the proper aim. I am referring here to:

A - Awareness of what is, needs to change, or can be.
I - Intent. Having a clear, focused intent to change, grow, develop or modify.
M - Movement. To have consistent movement or progress toward that which is congruent with your intent and life mission or purpose.

Using the word AIM as a template in reflecting on your life you will find that failing to hit the target in any area of your life will be generally due to one of these three causes:

? A lack of awareness.
? A lack of intent.
? A lack of positive, consistent movement.

Here are 15 questions (5 for each item) to ask yourself to determine how you are doing in any or all areas of your life.

Awareness:
1. Do you know where you need improvement in any area of your life, or are you in denial?
2. Have others pointed out areas for improvement, but you have failed to accept their feedback or guidance?
3. Is there a nagging feeling in your gut that some area of your life could be much better?
4. Do you pay attention to the signals your body and life sends you on a regular basis?
5. Are you satisfied with your progress in all areas of your life?

Intent:
1. Do you give yourself excuses?
2. Do you let yourself off the hook when you fail to meet your goals?
3. Do you have an action plan or personal mission statement that guides you?
4. Have you ‘settled for’ in any area of your life?
5. Have you let others negatively impact your dreams and/or desires?

Movement:
1. Do you track your progress regularly?
2. Do you reward your successes?
3. Do you break down your goals into smaller steps?
4. Do you make some progress every day?
5. Do you give up early or easily?

There are many more questions you could ask yourself to ensure that 2006 is the best year of your life so far. All it takes is some time, a little courage, self-honesty and the desire to create a better life in the future. Go for it what have you got to lose?

Remember, expecting different results from repeated behavior is a mild form of insanity.