In a few days, we will be welcoming 2017. But, the question is, what do you want the new year to look like for you? Do you want it to be just like 2016? 

Or do you want it to be better? 

If that’s what you want, I have 4 ways that will help you make 2017 your best year ever!

But, before jumping into the ways to help you make the new year better than any other, let me talk about a couple of things. 

• Know that whatever you want 2017 to be, you have to prepare for it now. 
• Be intentional about the changes you want to make for 2017 to be your best year ever. 

Now, here are the four simple ways that will help you make 2017 your best year ever. 

Begin with the right mindset.

Any transformation in life, you can think of, should begin in your mind.

Visible changes happen as a response to what takes place in the invisible. And the invisible is your mind.

Paul wrote once to the the Church in Corinth: “be be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)

Now, once you know what you want in your mind, you have to set yourself to it. But, it all has to begin in your mind. In other words, you’ll have to adopt a mindset that will propel you where you want to see yourself at the end of 2017. 

Your mindset defines your self image and self esteem. 

These are important because they project how you see yourself in private or in public. They also define how you would like others to think of you as a human being in the different roles you play in life.

Your mindset shapes your habits, behavior and character.  

The word mindset means a state of mind shaped by given opinions or habits. It is also defined as an attitude. It is a mental attitude.

This mental attitude represents a picture of life you believe to be right for you. This mental attitude eventually defines your habits, behavior and character. Your entire personality results from your mindset. 

Establish relationships that can help you grow. 

There’s a post on how to establish and maintain healthy relationships that can help you with this.

But, why are relationships important to help you make 2017 your best year ever? 

Good relationships will equip you with good morals. 

“Bad company ruins good morals.” That’s what Paul wrote about to the people in Corinth many years ago (1 Corinthians 5: 33). 

Morals represent your behavior and your set of beliefs. What Paul is saying is that there are people who can help rebuild your morals. Also, there are other people who can ruin your morals. 

Relationships, to help you make 2017 your best year ever, should be about: 

• Your spiritual growth. This is what you believe, and which determines how you live. 
• Your family. This is an important group of people in your life. No matter who they are, they represent your first people to care for and serve. All relationships you establish should aim at helping you bond better with your family. 
• Your local church. This is if you belong to a community of believers, which I encourage you to do, in case you haven’t yet. Even in your local church, be clear on relationships that will help you better care for and love your church. Get into relationships that will help you grow in your faith and in your love of your family. 
• Your friends in the community, at school and work, including the stranger. Beyond family and church, your life takes place in the community, at school and work. Relationships in these areas of your life also matter.  

Good relationships help you grow in your spirituality, in your influence and productivity. 

Identify the right tools for your life. 

You need to know how these tools will be helpful to you before deciding what kind you need. 

You need tools to help you with goal setting. 

There are a ton of tools to help stay on track with your goals. Let me list a few of the tools in the form of Apps, now that most people have smart phones. Some of the apps, used on a smartphone, can also be used as website tools on your computer.

Here are some of the free and paid tools you could explore: 

• GoalsOnTrack. This is a free app for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone 7. 
• Lift. This is a free app for iPhone and Android. 
• StickK. This is a free app for both iPhone and Android. 
• Habit List. This is a paid app, which is only available on iPhone. 
• LifeTick. This is a paid app for iPhone, Android and iPad. 

There are more others out there to explore. In case you don’t want to use apps, you can also consider using traditional tools such as a journal or a notebook to set your goals.

You need tools to help you with goal tracking. 

Setting goals for your life is one thing, but tracking them is another. An application that you could use both for setting goals and tracking them is Evernote. This is both a free and paid application helpful for setting your goals as well as tacking them. Also, you can use it on all your devices. 

Here’s an example of how Michael Hyatt uses Evernote as a tool for goal setting and tracking. Click to see how he did it for 2015.

Get into action. 

A plan or design as I pointed it out earlier is what you choose to be the next year. All this begins in your mind.

Now, you’re translating your mind into reality. To do that, you’ve set goals and clarified on the kind of relationships that will help you get where you want to get. 

Only one thing you’ve got to do at this point. Get into action. 

This is a set of practices that will help you act on your dream. 

• Begin recording everything about your life starting on the first day of the year (January 1). Make sure you review your notes at the end of every week or month. 
•  Talk about your dream with your family and close friends. 
• Ask people to hold you accountable to what you’ve set to do. 
• With the tools listed above, review your goals (tasks). Celebrate your little victories along the way. Invite family and friends in your celebrations.
• If you can afford, hire a professional coach. Most professional counselors in your area can help you find a coach. In my case, I have been using virtual coaches. What I mean is I’ve subscribed to their podcasts and email lists. That way I learn and am reminded of my dream and goals. Also, I belong to a few groups that provide a little bit of informal coaching. As an example, I listen to Michael Hyatt, Coaching Millions, and more others. You will find them on iTunes or other podcast players on the website. 
• Be open to unexpected events in life. When they happen, be able to tweak your goals. But, stay on your path to your dream. You can change your itinerary, but keep moving to your destination. 

I would like to hear from you. Is there anything, I did not mention in this post, which can also help making 2017 the best year ever? Please, share in the comment box.

Remember sharing is caring. So, show some care by sharing this post with a friend or family member.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!