What’s your theme for 2015?

Now that the curtain has fallen on 2014, it’s a great time to think about what worked and didn’t work this past year and what you want to change moving forward.

But, instead of making New Year’s resolutions you will not keep, what if you created a THEME for 2015?

I learned about this while participating in a virtual retreat by iBloom, a business committed to helping women entrepreneurs have a business and a life that they love.

Having a theme for the year can help you get clarity around what you really want to achieve, and then set goals around those priorities.

Here are four steps to help you get started:

1. Evaluate where you’re at–Take a look at 2014 and evaluate what worked, what didn’t and what needs to change in the coming year. Do this for your personal life and business.
2. Set your priorities — Pick the areas (five at the most) you most want to focus on in 2015. It’s up to you how many should be related to your personal life and how many should be business-related, but I’d urge you to think about how you most want to be remembered and take your cues from that.
   Also, if the same priorities are coming up because you didn’t get to them this year, think about how much of a priority they are, or if they are even your priority. If not, create new ones.
3. Create your goals — Make them SMART (specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and timely) , make sure they are aligned with your priorities, and, above all else, make sure they are goals YOU really want to achieve. These are not about what your mother or spouse wants. It’s about what you want and what you’re willing to do to make it happen.
4. Make them non-negotiable — One of the reasons that goals never get accomplished is because, while we have the best intentions, we get trapped in the urgent and not important things. Your goals have to make it on to your to do list in space that is blocked out as non negotiable.  Kelly Thorne Gore, president of iBloom, said “People who crave motivation and accountability are not committed to their goals.” She’s absolutely right. If you don’t live out your goals, what is the point of having them?
5. Create your theme — Look back at your notes and think about what word or phrase will help you stay the course. Make it simple yet significant to what you want to accomplish. Perhaps you want to accomplish something scary that involves taking a big risk. “Believe” might be your theme.
   One more thing. The theme you choose doesn’t have to be the one you have all year. It can apply to this season of your life. When it no longer fits, change it.

Please share your comments or opinions with me below. I would love to know how my content is helping you to Get R.E.A.L (realistic, engaging, authentic, and of the mindset you want to have a long-lasting relationship with your clients.) Don’t be afraid to ask questions or suggest topics for future blog posts. I am here to serve YOU.

Thank you for sharing this space with me.

Robin Taney, (aka the “Get R.E.A.L Girl”) is the owner and founder of Studio 4 PR.  She works with creative, independent, and “kitchen table” entrepreneurs who are highly motivated to be found by their perfect client. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, and sign up for mailing list  You are welcome to use this post on your blog, provided you do not alter it in any way and include a link to this blog.

Robin is also a co-author of the bestselling book, Navigating Entrepreneurship: Secrets to Put You on an Unstoppable Course, and City Director for the Rochester digital edition of Today’s Innovative Woman magazine. Click here for a free subscription or to learn more about advertising packages.