I\u2019ve studied high achievers for decades. They all have different traits and habits that make them unique, but what I find fascinating are all the commonalities. What if having a successful year came down to just a handful of best practices?<\/p>\n\n
I asked thirty well known high achievers to tell me how they set themselves up for success as the New Year approaches. Super-successful people like Tony Robbins, Dave Ramsey, Chalene Johnson, John Maxwell, and Chris Brogan all let me peek into their year-end process.<\/p>\n
After studying their responses, I identified eight commonalities. Consider these best practices for getting a jump on the New Year. And Thanksgiving\u2014which we\u2019re celebrating this week in America\u2014is the perfect time to get started. Why?<\/p>\n
One of the most common responses was expressing gratitude<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI enjoy taking the Thanksgiving Holiday to be thankful for all the positive things that happened over the past year, as well as assess how I can change my perspective on the negative things that happened to a healthy one,\u201d Erik Fisher<\/strong> told me.<\/p>\n \u201cThis sets up the time between the end of November through New Years day as part celebration and part solitude and pondering and closing up old business,\u201d he said. \u201cDoing this is like starting the New Year with an empty in-basket.\u201d<\/p>\n Ray Edwards<\/strong> said he prepares with \u201ca gratitude flood.\u201d How so? \u201cIn my journal I write down every good thing I can remember from the past year. In that state of total gratitude I ask, \u2018What do I most want to be thankful for one year from now?\u2019 I write the answer down, and it becomes a focus for the new year.\u201d<\/p>\n Tony Robbins<\/strong> keeps a journal of \u201caccomplishments and magic moments\u201d that he revisits. He told me he captures standout moments throughout the year and draws principles from these to set his goals for the New Year.<\/p>\n Taking stock of the past year is the best way I know to set yourself up for success in the next.<\/p>\n John Maxwell<\/strong> does it. Skip Prichard<\/strong> does it. Jeff Walker<\/strong> does it, too.<\/p>\n This review process was a little different for each, but most seemed to focus on what went right, what went wrong, and what could be learned for the upcoming year. In those responses were thoughts about the importance of staying positive and expressing gratitude\u2014which leads directly to the other best practices.<\/p>\n\t\t