By: Kristi Love 

Friday, January 5, 2018

IG @Uprisingwgc

Do you want to win in 2018?! Of course, we all do and we are in this together. We are all working on self and we do not have to do this alone.

Not only is it a new month, a new week, more importantly, it is a new year and this year feels different already. This feels like The Winning Season. It feels as though everybody around me is going to win in bigger ways and that includes me.

New Year’s resolutions and setting goals are not foreign to me. I’ve done it in the past, however, I have not always believed in it. This year I believe in the goals I have set for myself and it will happen.

Even if 2017 was an awesome year or a tough year for you, 2018 is truly a year filled where all of us Win!

It doesn’t have to be filled with only huge wins because small wins throughout the year mean an overall gigantic win in the end. Transformations are in order.

Below are 7 ways to guarantee a WINNING SEASON in 2018.

7 Ways to WIN this season

• Write in your journal/dairy

“I write in order to emotionally release so that I can mentally be at peace. Writing has allowed me to maintain a healthy emotional balance in my life.”

-Luronda T. Jennings

Just write. It can be for 3 minutes or 30 minutes. Write to you and about you. Stay focused on you. Writing allows you to be the real you. No edits needed when you are writing in your journal. So much of your thoughts, fears, dreams, and goals come through when you write. Writing allows you to win because you feel comfortable being you- when you are yourself you learn more about who you are and how you can better serve the world.

• Create a vision board

“It is important to envision what you want first before it can come to pass.”

 -Raji Rankins

We often tell ourselves (in our head) what we want to do and time goes by and we still have not done those things. Your vision board is your vision’s roadmap. Say it. See it. Believe it and receive it. Daily, look at your vision board and months down the road you will be able to say, “I did that”. Your vision becomes your reality.

• Meditate daily

“One very basic reason to mediate is to increase self and emotional control, while also enhancing critical thinking skills. Second- it allows us to unplug and create a space for MINDFULNESS to plan our life, confront our weaknesses, and work on our strengths.”

-E.R. Johnson

Sit still and be quiet. This is hard for many of us. I am a work in progress. My mind is always on GO! Think of one thing (i.e. Peace or gratefulness) or of nothing at all and be still and know…. When you are still it allows space for clarity. We are bogged down by stress, work-life balance, friends and family, and hobbies. When we relax our minds, we win in the end. Start off with 5 minutes and increase your time when you feel comfortable. It takes time. Try It!

• Pray continually

“Nothing is going to protect you more in life than staying in remembrance of God. That’s what prayer does…along with fasting and serving others.” -Anonymous

Whoever you call on (Yahweh, Allah, God, Jehovah) be sure to pray. It releases you from your inner thoughts. It allows you to take off the pressure life brings us daily. God gives us the desires of our hearts and free will. Talking to God is simple and it is easy. We win when we pray because we are not in this alone. Give thanks. Ask. Seek. Knock.

• Speak positive affirmations to yourself daily

“Believe in your imagination. Say only what you want to happen. Think happy thoughts. Work and fly.”

-Yusha Assad

Simply put, the universe is listening to you. We must pay attention to what we are thinking about. Les Brown once said, “Think about what you’re thinking about”. Negative thoughts have to flee our minds. Be careful about what your inner self is saying.

• Surround yourself with like-minded people

“I hang with people who are working and winning because it provides a positive outlet to grow. It gives us the strength to always give hard work and dedication.” -A. Route

Who are the five people you spend the most time with? Are they encouraging you, building you up, holding you accountable? Are you doing that for them? In this winning season, we are in a place of growth. Individually and collectively your team has to win and you will see the fruits of your labor.

• Make yourself a priority

“Love yourself first- because when you put YOU first, you begin to see the greatness in yourself and what you deserve. It can also be a guide for what you will and won’t accept in future situations.”

-F.N. Jones

Learning how to love yourself can be one of the hardest things to do for some. We can give and love others easier than we love ourselves. In order to win in 2018, we have to take time to get to know ourselves because without self-care we are no good to others.

When you win, we all win. 2018 is different from other years because you (I) will make it different from before. We will be intentional, purposeful, doing everything with great care. The opportunity is available to you each day- just don’t put it off another day.

Don’t give up. One more thing- Read A Book (or an article or a blog). Whatever you do, don’t stop doing the right things well to get your win in 2018!