For those of us who like things organised into neat, orderly packages, there’s something special about being able to ‘contain’ our goals within the span of a year.

We get excited at the start of a crisp new year when we can say, ‘this year I will…’ or ‘this year I will not…’. And, at the time, we really mean it.

But please raise your hand if you’ve heard the depressing statistics revealing that most people fall off their resolution wagon before the end of January.

Don’t let that happen to you this year.

I’m going to give you eight golden tips that reveal how you CAN receive the goals you set for yourself.

But, you’ll ‘actually’ need to apply the tips! The word ‘actually’ features a lot here — you may already know a lot of these tips, but do you ‘actually’ apply them? (The act of ‘application’ could be the thing that makes all the difference for you this year.)

Here we go…

1. Actually realise that you’re worth it.

To quote Desiderata: ‘You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here’. You really are worthy. Believing this is at the core of your ‘receiving’ success. If self-worth is an issue for you (and it is for many, many people), then ‘actually’ spend time doing inner healing work.

2. Actually write down your goals.

This is a biggie. If you’re a self-development junkie you probably already know the anecdote about the Harvard grads who wrote down their goals being a gazillion times more likely to achieve them than those grads who didn’t write them down.

Writing down your goals takes them a step closer to arriving in material form. It really works. Have courage, and actually do it!

(Check out Jack Canfield’s fab book The Success Principles(TM): How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be for goal-writing tips.)

3. Actually make a commitment and stick to it.

Look, resistance is GOING to show up. Just expect it, face it, thank it and then push on through it. You already know that long-term change is going to be a bit uncomfortable. Or even a lot uncomfortable, for a while. But if you make a commitment and then actually stick to it, come hell or high water, you can’t help but succeed. Cultivating a high ‘EQ’ helps – see Daniel Goleman’s seminal work on this, called Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition; Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.

4. Actually practise extreme self-care.

As advocated by life coach extraordinaire Cheryl Richardson (this concept is also known as ‘exquisite self-care’, the latter being a term coined by Earth Empress Shakaya Leone). If you know you need more rest time, more reflection time, more yoga time, more nutritious food and more healthy boundary-setting, then actually make that happen. Again, you ARE worth it. How are you going to have the energy to take action towards your goals if you’re burned out?

5. Actually keep a gratitude journal.

Please do this. It makes such a difference to your vibration. Be inspired by my blog’s Gratitude Friday (or Saturday, or Sunday) posts, and gently begin to cultivate gratitude as part of your everyday life, in your regular self-talk. When you’re honestly appreciative of all that you have, watch the magic begin — even more ‘good stuff’ (including opportunities to receive your goals) starts to show up.

6. Actually create a vision board.

For many years I was afraid to create a vision board (also known as a dream board – but you can always create a booklet or scrapbook, instead), because I thought I’d feel crushed if I put my dreams out there in my field of vision and they didn’t come true. But I can’t tell you what amazing things happened once I finally got over my fear and actually created my first vision board.

7. Actually measure your progress.

This sounds a bit linear and boring, but it really works. And it can be hugely motivating. I recently gave up all forms of sugar for a period of time (including all fruit, which was a challenge), and every Sunday morning I recorded my weight and body measurements. I didn’t have a particular weight-loss or health goal, because it really was just a curious journey to see what effect sugar had on my body. But measuring results helped keep me on my sugar-free track, and spurred me on when I saw real progress being made. Sure, measuring takes a little discipline, but the payoffs are huge.

8. Actually declutter your home and workspace.

It’s such a relief to declutter even a small area. If clutter is a problem for you, actually make time this month to create headway. Positive energy will soon fill the space, and you really will find that doors will open at every turn when it comes to the other goals you’ve set for yourself. Head here for help, at a limited-time reduced investment.

So, there you have it. Eight golden tips. Will you ‘actually’ apply them? Will you ‘actually’ do what it takes to receive your goals this year? (I think it helps to start thinking of yourself as an ‘implementor’, as someone who just gets on it with it.)

The difference between a person who receives their goals and a person who doesn’t comes down to the simple (but not always easy) act of taking action, even when their resistance is strong.

You are bigger than your resistance, and I know you can do this. I want to hear all about your successes at the end of the year, OK?!

© Joanne Newell, 2013 Would you like to use this article in your ezine or on your blog or website? You certainly may, as long as you include the following at the end of the article: Joanne Newell, of Rich Radiant Real coaching, publishes the Your Abundant Life free monthly ezine, designed to inspire you to create the life of your dreams. For even more inspiration, head to www.richradiantreal.com to grab your complimentary guide called 7 Ways to Recharge Your Vibration & Attract the Riches of Life.