Don't Get Derailed as February Begins

My “don’t get derailed” watchdog.

I enter each year with fresh energy and enthusiasm. I'm not a resolution-maker, but I do set goals and I create what I call my "more list." These are things that I want more of in my life during the year.

As we start February, I consider what will keep me on track? Will I be able to stay focused and succeed without getting derailed?

Last year, I put a sticky note over my desk that featured a photo of a Labrador Retriever and a word balloon. Inside the word balloon, I wrote, "Don't get derailed." That simple bit of self-advice has helped me stay more focused on achieving my goals and getting that important "more" into my life.

But that doesn't mean I still don't get derailed. If it's for an hour or even a day, it may not be a big deal. I can recover and get back on the path toward my goals. But sometimes getting sidetracked picks up a momentum of its own. It may become more difficult to find my way back.

Lately, it's helped me to note what sidetracks me so that I'm aware if I'm straying from the path. I've also started to keep a list of those strategies and tactics that either help me stay on track or get me back if I've fallen off.

It's not perfect, but I'm learning that awareness is critical, followed by intention when it comes to moving forward with what matters most in my work and my life.

What gets you sidetracked? And how do you get back on track?