12 Habits to Finish 2015 Strong and Begin 2016 Stronger

The end of 2015 is approaching and with it comes the closure of an old chapter in everyone's life. The new year is around the corner and it brings a new chapter to add to the book of your life. Finish this year strong and begin the new one stronger because when there is a will, there is a way.

Your life improves tremendously when there is discipline and order in it. Adopt new habits and stick to them. Following are a few habits for you to consider adopting and maintaining through life; it is never too early or too late to start: 

1. Do not dwell on what you did not get to do this year

Chances are that you made 2015 New Year's resolutions for your career and for many aspects of your life. As you reflect on those resolutions, you realize that there is a common theme in your head "I should've, I could've, I would've."

You regret things that you did not get to do. Perhaps you had an unrealistic or long list of resolutions, or you got sick. Whatever that case might be, you simply did not accomplish all that you planned to do this year. 

The worse thing that you can do is to dwell on what remained unchecked from your resolutions list. It is okay to analyze what you did not do and the reason why so that you can make the necessary adjustments for your 2016 resolutions.

2. Be grateful for your accomplishments and the people in your life

Concentrate on the things that you were able to accomplish this year and be grateful for it. Having an attitude of gratitude will benefit you immensely. There is always something to be grateful for. Always count your blessings.

Be also grateful for the things that you did not accomplish this year. You may have started something and left it half-way done. There is a reason why. Do not be harsh on yourself, be grateful instead. Some things are not meant to be.

Show your gratefulness to the people that helped you, encouraged you, motivated you, and stayed by your side during this year; tell them how much you appreciate them, do not assume that they know it nor take them for granted.

3. Renew your thoughts and actions

Think and act more positively. Leave your negativity behind, it is possible if you want to. You harm yourself when you think negatively and you harm others, and yourself as well, when you act negatively.

You are bigger than your negativity. Make a list of things to do and have it handy when you start to feel negative. Your list may include calling a friend, listening to music, going out for a walk, and so on. #BestAdvice

Having a support system is essential in your life. Identify one, two, or three people in your life that you trust and feel safe with. Be accountable for your thoughts and actions. Talk with your support system about it.

4. Be kind to yourself and to others

Kindness is the key to living a meaningful life. First, be kind to yourself so that you can be authentically kind to others. Being kind does not imply giving only material things. Kindness is much more than that, it is also giving of yourself.

Do not give out of obligation or pressure. Give naturally and effortlessly. When kindness flows genuinely from your heart, you will feel more alive and with purpose. Give not to impress others, give to help others, and to lift them up.

Give more than you expect to receive because in doing so you will reap amazing rewards. Be kind even to the people who do not like you. Allow your kindness to shine bright so that it will encourage others to be kind.

5. Take leaps of faith

If you want different results in your life, you must take different approaches. Taking risks is not only about climbing Mount Everest or investing all your money, at once, in the stock market. Taking any risk involves a leap of faith. 

If you want to grow professionally and personally, you have to do something about it as it will not happen magically. Growth, in most aspects of life, requires taking risks; it is not easy, though it is necessary to become successful in life.

Fear is what paralyzes you, and others, from taking risks. It is okay to feel fearful, to some extent, as it is part of your human nature. To conquer any fear, you need to awake your courageous spirit by taking leaps of faith. 

6. Do not compromise your values

You can set goals, or resolutions, at any time of the year. When you set goals, make sure that they benefit you and others. Do not set goals out of selfishness or competition. Stay true to yourself, do not compromise your values. 

Do what is most important and meaningful to you without worrying about what others will think or say about it. Also, do not compare your life to other people's lives. Do not be deceived by appearances. Your values are your guide to life.

Your beliefs and what you stand for in life make you unique. When you compromise your values, you suffer the consequences. If you are honest and a lucrative, though unethical opportunity arises, think twice before you say yes. 

7. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

Health is one of the greatest assets that you have in life and it must be a priority for you. Without good health, you are unable to do much. Rest enough, eat nutritiously, exercise often, pray and meditate daily, read, and write frequently.

Time is one of your greatest resources, it is your responsibility to manage it effectively. What you do with your time says more about your priorities that what you say your priorities are; make sure you use your time wisely.

You can live a well-balanced life if you firmly adhere to your priorities like spending quality time with your family and friends, working to live not living to work, nurturing your mind and spirit, taking good care of your finances, etc.

8. Be clear about your needs and about your wants

What is common sense for some people, it is not common practice for others. There is a big difference between your "needs" and your "wants." To gain more clarity about the two, think about it and make a list to compare the variances.

Your needs must be met before your wants, otherwise, your life will be upside down. For instance, you have a debt to pay and you want to buy a brand new car even though the one you have runs well. Avoid unnecessary stress and chaos.

It is in your human DNA to desire things that you do not necessarily need. It is okay, do not stress over it. You will find that meeting your needs will bring you the satisfaction that will liberate you to go after your wants.

9. Go at your own pace

Life is not meant to be a rat race. There are times when you need to go fast and times when you need to slow down. Getting caught up in a rat race mentality sets you up for much disappointment, weariness, and needless hassle.

Set your own rhythm and adjust it as necessary. Do not get lost in the middle of what the world asks of you. Instead, create and follow your own path. Live a life that is to be remembered and cherished by others, ad let it be your legacy.

Make room to appreciate all around you. Do not run frantically, walk, and run with vision and purpose. Know where you are going and how you will get there. Plan and execute appropriately. Stop to breathe in courage and exhale fear. 

10. Communicate simply and clearly, and listen too

Let your words be understood by speaking in simple terms and with clarity; people will appreciate it. Extravagant, showy, or fancy words are not wrong, though they may be hard to understand.

Communicate respectfully at all times. A person who uses offensive, vulgar, or rude words is a bully. If, at times, you find it hard to contain yourself from saying these types of words, take a deep breath and walk away.

Learn new words to enrich your vocabulary and to enhance your communication skills. Pay attention to your body language to ensure that it aligns with what you are saying. Listen to others with intent, do no interrupt.

 11. Do not complain and do not gossip

Do not be someone that people avoid because you complain too much and gossip about others. It is okay to talk about your troubles and challenges; this is not the same as complaining. Complaining implies negativity.

Your reputation gets damaged when you gossip. Hearing others gossip is part of gossiping even if you do not say anything. Talking about a person who is not present where you are is not nice unless you are lifting her up.

It is said that you are what people say about you after you leave the room. Be the kind of person that people talk positively about. The door of change is open, start being a person that others look up to and talk highly about.

12. Do not postpone your happiness

Happiness means different things to different people, make your own definition of it. Keep in mind that happiness does not come from the outside, it comes from within. You will find the root of your happiness in your heart.

Do not wait for the day to have everything perfectly arranged in your life because that day will never come. You do not know when your life will end so celebrate it each day. Do not allow obstacles to rob you of your joy.

There are thousands of reasons to smile every day. Also, smiling boosts your immune system. Show your love, do not keep it inside. Bring out your talents, do not hide them. Dance in the room, do not stay glued to a chair. Live for today.

What are you grateful for this year? What goals do you want to accomplish next year and how? Please share in the comments section below. Happy 2016!!!

Other posts by Ivette K. Caballero

3 Major Things to Never Forget During Failure to Keep Moving Forward

On Being Kind: If not You, Who?, If not Today, When?

The Power of the Words You Speak

Honesty Speaks for Itself

A Few Reasons Why We Can't Change People

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