The holidays have come and gone. All the hoopla has died down. Getting back on track seems to be what's important now and even if it weren't, you realize that this is exactly what you need to do since it's a new year with new expectations and goals to reach.

Life is an interesting journey. One of the key words associated with the word 'journey' is 'moving forward'. If you think about it, that's what this time of year is all about. The best way I know of to keep moving forward in a positive direction is by setting goals. That's only one half of the equation though. Attaining those goals is really what it's all about. The controls are in your hands. You are the only one that can make something happen and the best way to do that is to be very clear about what you want, then map out the steps it will take you to be where you want to be. It's that simple. Why should it be more complicated? In plotting your course of action, just make sure that you can reach the end-line taking steps to get there that are realistic and sensible. If you plan ahead with this in mind, success is all but guaranteed!

One of the things many teachers don't take into account when they plan ahead for the new year is the emotional, motivational side of things. What do I mean by that? It's one thing making sure you can get from point 'A' to point 'B' successfully, but it's another to know that you'll be able to do that without any emotional issues coming up that might impede your progress. Having the motivation to get there successfully is a huge part of the puzzle.

Is there anything that you feel might get in the way of you attaining the success you hope to achieve this year? If so, ask yourself the following questions;

1) Is what's blocking you something real or something that you've concocted in your head such as a fear of what might happen if you don't get to where you want to be?

2) Realize that if you think and feel you can get there successfully, then that's what's most likely to happen. Conversely, it only stands to reason that if you think you won't be able to get to your finish line successfully, then that's exactly what will happen too

3) It is what you make it to be. See yourself reaching your goal with success. What would that look and feel like? Hook into those feelings of success even if you aren't anywhere close to being there in real life. The more you feel the future now, right here in your present, the more it will come to you and happen that way

4) If there are realistic reasons as to why you can't see yourself being successful in attaining certain goals, figure out if what's blocking you is real, and if so, see if you can find a way to work around or with the situation. Is it realistic enough to assume that you'll be able to overcome what now might seem to be impassable? If there might be a way to get through it, then, just like what was suggested with attaining goals, work out a step-by-step plan on how you will overcome the blockage and make your way to ultimate success. Sometimes if you can see exactly how you'll overcome something, you'll know you can do it. What once seemed impossible is now easy to achieve

5) Know that you can do it and that you are a teacher for a darn good reason. Don't forget about why you got into this profession to begin with and then just take things from there and always remember to move forward. Sometimes the smallest steps in a positive direction achieve the biggest gains

So can you make it through? What it all comes down to is the fact that it's a choice. It's up to you to make the choice to succeed. Succeeding may not look like what you think it does at this moment in time. Here's the key; know what things will look like once you've achieved your goal. See it, feel it and do this every day. Don't be as concerned with how you'll get there. Changing your course of action might be necessary from time to time. Re-doing your steps to success might be in order but what shouldn't change are two things; Knowing you CAN indeed make it through and also seeing and believing you'll get there. The two work hand in hand and if not seen as that, your journey might take a little longer to move in the direction you're hoping for.

You were meant to succeed. It's that simple. The only one standing in your way is you. Move forward, step-by-step, day-by-day, inch-by-inch and you'll reach the finish line with flying colors!