Didn't Start 2020 Strong? 20 Ways To Still Make it Count

So 2020 was meant to be your year. You had resolved to take a fresh look at your goals, explore new opportunities for growth and personal advancement, turn around your life, scale your career or start a business. But you've hit a snag - a unexpected obstacle or drawback for whatever reason. Fret not. It's all good. We've all had false starts. You didn't get the start you wanted but 2020 can still be your year. Here are 20 ways to still make the year count and strategically position for success for the decade ahead.

1. RESET YOUR GOAL: Hit the reset button. Pick the one goal you really wanted to accomplish or the skill you wanted to develop, and do a check in. See where you are at and what you need to do to make sure you stay on track or get back on that horse. Lean into your soft skills of determination and passion to accomplish these goals. Even if it is not a passion project, reset and make a plan as to how you will tackle them.

2. TAKE ACTION: You have to sow the seeds for your own success. Try to accomplish one thing towards that goal everyday. A good idea is to set deadlines and truly commit to them.

3. THINK POSITIVELY: Don't think of the obstacles, just the possibilities. You can do it.

4. FIND THE RIGHT TRIBE: Surround yourself with doers, not complainers or those taking comfort in their comfort zones. Doers are motivated and determined to reach their goals. Their motivation will rub off on you and get you fired up about your own goals.

5. NEVER GIVE UP IF YOU FAIL: Failure is inevitable. But don't wallow in failure. See it as a pathway to success. Stay resilient. Get up and keep going.

6. BE ADAPTABLE: Not everything will work the way you want it. Be flexible and willing to adapt to changing circumstances.

7. ASK: If you don't ask, the answer is always no. Doesn't mean the answer will always be YES but take a chance. Ask for help, ask questions. Ask directions. Just ASK. Asking opens doors, provides opportunity, gets you closer to your goals.

8. FIGURE OUT YOUR "WHY": Determining your WHY gives your life direction and purpose. It gives you the confidence to make your decisions and makes your life more fulfilling. There are many resources available to help you determine your purpose. Make use of them.

9. MANAGE YOUR TIME: This is usually one of our biggest challenges but if you can find a way to use your time productively, you will accomplish far more than you ever imagined. Train yourself to be disciplined. If you block out a time to write, do not get distracted on social media or anything else. Guard that time.

10. REVISE YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS: Success means different things to different people. Find out what it means to you. It does not need to mean money or material possessions. I can mean more time with family, rest and restoration. Decide what success looks like for you, and own that.

11. HAVE FAITH: My mother taught be this one. "Have faith. All is well" she loves to say. For some reason, it always gives me hope that everything will work out. So work hard but trust that you will get where you want to be.

12. DO NOT MULTITASK. Focus on one task at a time. Research says multitasking actually slows us down. I know that having multiple things on my plate makes me give less productive. When I focus on the task at hand, and aim to complete it before moving on to the next, I get more done.

13. GET HELP: Maybe hire a virtual assistant or an intern. Ask a friend to join you on a project, or find ways to collaborate to lessen the load.

14. ASK FOR FEEDBACK: Sometimes we get stalled because we are our own worst critic. So stop critiquing your own work and instead ask for feedback from a colleague. Constructive critique is useful in helping you reflect productively on your work and take it to the next level. Friends can also help you stay on track.

15. LEARN TO SAY NO: You know that meeting is a waste of time. Do you have to go to dinner or shopping with friends. Saying NO can help you recapture valuable time which you can dedicate to doing something productive towards your goals.

16. QUIT PERFECTIONISM: I am guilty of this; wanting every task to be perfectly executed before closing. Now, I am not saying deliver sloppy work. I am saying a lot of time is wasted trying to be perfect. Productivity specialists often say revise what you consider to be a job well done. The general rule of thumb is that there are tasks that just needs to get done; others that are worth doing well, and some that requires exceptional quality. Know the difference.

17. STAND ON YOUR PERSONAL BRAND: Your personal brand is the sum of your personality, skills, experience, assets and values. In other words, it is your reputation. Know who you are and what value you can offer others. Lean into the fact that your goals are part of how you project your brand into the world. Use your personal brand to anchor your goals. It will give your self-confidence a well-needed boost to carry on.

18. GUARD YOUR HEALTH: You are living your life in your body. Nothing will be accomplished if you are not healthy and strong. So guard your health. Put yourself first.

19. DEVELOP A LONG TERM PLAN: Have a long-term plan and commit your goals to paper. Take on the most challenging tasks when you feel the most productive and address the easier ones during your off peak times. Knowing what your future goals are is and completing tasks is a good indicator of your potential to achieve future goals. Of course, don't plan your every move. Take chances and stay open to some surprises.

20. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY: Finally, remember it is your responsibility to fulfill your life. It is up to you to make it happen. Success never ever happens per chance. It is usually the result of a consciousness and deliberate goal setting, strategic planning and execution.

So how will you make 2020 and this new decade count? Look ahead, not behind; not at what might've been but towards what can be. Best wishes to an amazing 2020.

Dr. Hume Johnson is a personal branding consultant and associate professor of public relations. She is the author of Brand YOU: Reinvent Yourself, Redefine Your Future.