The new year brings excitement – an opportunity for rebirth and reset. According to emerging New York-based certified life and mindset coach, Shaina McGregor, it’s important to start the year off strong, building a foundation for the rest of the year. McGregor, a Jamaican American who is also a dancer, fitness professional and entrepreneur, offers one-on-one coaching and workshops for creatives, professionals, and entrepreneurs. “I help my clients close the gap between where they are now to where they want to be,” she explains.
Here, McGregor shares tips on how to make 2023 the year of your dreams.
Dream Big
If you’re already dreaming, dream big, McGregor affirms. “Visualize and write down your wildest dreams,” she instructs. What do you want and what legacy do you want to have? Be clear and specific. “Dreaming big means giving yourself permission to say what you want,” she advises. “Get it onto paper, write it down.” Incorporate a mix of personal and professional goals, she says.
Give Yourself Grace
Often we’re our own worst enemies and our harshest critics. Perfectionism seems like a positive quality – something to proudly list as a strength in a job interview – but it has a sinister side. “The negative side of perfectionism is just being way too hard on yourself” explains McGregor, herself a self-styled ‘recovering perfectionist.’ “Wanting things to be perfect can lead to in-action.” Instead, she advises us to re-examine these standards that we’re holding ourselves to. Are they fair? Are they even ours? She suggests redefining perfection while allowing yourself leeway.
Maintaining Momentum
“At the beginning we’re so excited… We’re fueled on willpower and motivation, but life can set in and set us back,” McGregor reasons. “We tackle too many things at once, and lose momentum.” To address this, she preaches prioritization. Audit your schedule, examine where your time sinks are, and reallocate hours, McGregor instructs.
She also coaches her clients to eliminate distractions and reduce the friction in doing tasks. Even something like getting your sneakers ready for the gym the night before can make a big difference in getting the task done. “Make sure your environment is conducive to you achieving your goals,” she explains. “Set yourself up for success.”
