The meaning of success: how positive thinking can help you succeed...

happy new year!

Gosh, is it 2012 already? Where did the time go?!

I've been a little quiet over the past few months on this blog. It's been a very busy but productive and positive time.

I celebrated my 26th birthday (I had to pause and consider my age just then - doesn't quite seem real that I'm in my mid-twenties now!)  I celebrated Christmas and welcomed my family from Australia to stay throughout January.

I also got a new part-time job in November, leaving behind my full-time work and allowing my Writesofluid script reading and editing business to blossom.

what is success?

Even if you feel you have not made any progress in the past year, you probably have; you just need to dig deep enough and appreciate any positive changes in your life (and sometimes even negative ones) for what they are and how they have affected you/changed you for the better. Success comes in many forms; learning new skills, making and maintaining relationships, advancements in your career... The list is endless. Success is what you make of it.

making changes

Changing my job was a big step for me; I was leaving behind full-time employment with a company I had worked for since I left school in order to start a new working life which would enable me to better balance employment/self-employment with "life". I had been running my script reading and editing business during my spare time (evenings and weekends) which was resulting in very little "me" time. I took the plunge and am very glad I did; it's been going really well so far and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.

scrap new year resolutions

Often January is full of New Year's Resolutions; diets, plans, goals and positivity. But this positivity can soon fall flat when those best-laid plans fall by the wayside and you're left feeling like a failure. This is why I prefer not to make any major resolutions in January and instead focus on continual improvement, positivity and well being.

don't dwell on things

For me this year is about continuing to work hard, continuing to aim higher and continuing to look after myself. As a long-term sufferer of anxiety and related afflictions I have learnt that dwelling on negativity never does anyone any good. As writers we need to set goals but I find that setting too many goals or goals that are too advanced can result in low motivation and even a complete lack of confidence/activity.

you have a choice

I prefer to set achievable goals and to banish any negative goals such as those dangerous "If I don't do X by Y date then this means it's not worth me trying". Check out the article I wrote for the London Screenwriter's Festival on "Positive & Negative Deadlines" for tips on making positive deadlines for yourself. Whenever I feel down about any big goals that are not yet achieved, I make a point of reminding myself how far I have come already and I choose to appreciate this and use it as positive reinforcement.

continue being positive

2011 was a learning curve for me and also a life-changing year; all brought about by me choosing to make changes to my personal life and my career. This year I would like to: continue my personal development; build on the success of my script reading and editing endeavours; continue to write and to take advantage of career-enhancing opportunities; continue learning new skills and using these skills to help others.

over to you...

How was 2011 for you? Do you appreciate how far you may have come/how much you may have improved?  Will you be continuing to think positively about your progress and are you making positive, achievable goals/deadlines for yourself this year?