It’s January 21st – three weeks into the New Year – and as good a time as I can think of to do a quick check-up on the laser focus with which many of us charged into 2019. Distractions abound as if seemingly on assignment to keep you from keeping your foot on the gas but, if you’re like me, you won’t be lured. There’s a prize ahead and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to grab it with both hands!

My assigned distractions have ranged from subtle, seemingly-friendly invitations to fire-breathing dragon confrontations but the one thing they all had in common was that each and every one of them challenged my boundaries.

You know boundaries, right?

The things you can and should say yes to and the things you can and should say no to.

Often, we say yes to the no stuff and no to the yes stuff leaving us stressed, burdened and understandably mischaracterized as PMSing most of the time. But when we get it just right, we find ourselves curiously energetic and, daresay, optimistic just by responding correctly to the challenge – yes for yes stuff; no for no stuff. So let’s do a quick check on those lines.

• Have you set the tone with the people in your life?

• Have you told them your goals, what you need to accomplish them this year, and how they can help?

• Do they understand that your ‘free time’ really isn’t free because the time you spend NOT PUSHING for your goals is the forfeit price of those goals?

Have you established your boundaries?

If you have, fantastic!! You’re already exhibiting the mindset needed to kick the teeth out of this year. If you haven’t, it is most definitely not too late. It’s January and, like I said, it’s as good a time as I can think of to set the tone for a breakout year.

Try starting with the points I’ve outlined above and sharpen your focus once again. With a little tweak here and there, you may just find yourself back in the pedal-to-the-metal race for all the treasures you KNOW this season holds for you!