5 steps to a real 2024 refresh

When I was in kindergarten, quite a few years ago, I asked the teacher why the grass was wet every morning.

?She said it was because Mother Nature washed the earth each night to make it feel clean and fresh to start the day.

?I found the explanation quite plausible. It came as a bit of a disappointment when I found out about dew and the relatively boring scientific reasons for its formation.

?I think I was saddened because there is something quite cathartic about a refresh of any type. In that context, the fact that years end and new ones begin is a golden opportunity to do a genuine reset.

?People notoriously make New Year resolutions and break them. That is often because the resolutions are too general or require changes and commitments that go beyond what most humans will exercise in a single stride.

?Observing behaviour over the years, I’ve found most people make genuine change when the plan is simple, symbolic and easy to implement today. Here are five ideas.

?1. Have something great to look forward to

?The reality of getting back to work in the new year is a downer for a lot of people. That’s often because the magic dust of Christmas, summer beaches and barbeques is suddenly over, and the daily grind has become an inevitable reality.

?I find it is really important to start the year with a program of things to look forward to – fully committed and in the calendar. This could be a holiday, concert tickets, buying new music, regular date night, reunion with some friends or a day trip to a place you have never been - or an interesting work project, of course. If you always have things to look forward to, the year is a place of continuing possibilities rather than an unrelenting banality show.

?2. Eliminate regrets

?I think Bronnie Ware’s book Regrets of the Dying should be compulsory reading for every human. Bronnie is a hospice nurse and her book provides fascinating insights into what people most regret on their death beds. Among the regrets are not having the courage to live the life that you truly wanted, working too hard and missing time with the people that matter, not staying in touch with more friends and not giving yourself permission to be happier.

?It is a good time now to think about what is really important to you in life and do something about it while you have time. Everyone should ask the question: “What will I regret at the end of 2024 that I can do something about now?”.

?3. Draw a line under the past

?We can learn a lot from history but we cannot change it. The new year is the time to just start with a blank sheet. You own today and you can change your future. Mistakes, issues or lost opportunities from the past really belong there. The future is a treasure trove of possibilities and if you are alive, you still have scope to create the life you want. The President of the United States Joe Biden is in his eighties!

?4. Join something

?In a world of soulless social media, it is well documented that genuine human social connection is waning. It is also well documented that direct and supportive social connection promotes good health and long life. Something is wrong with that picture.

?Most humans crave belonging. The best way to belong is to join something with people who share your interests – professional organisations, music tuition, dance classes, men’s sheds – anything that makes you smile. Most people say they don’t have time. What they are really saying is that they are not prioritising it over other things.

?5. Start the “thing”

?I read last year that almost half of young people in the United States have some sort of “side hustle”. These are mostly micro businesses where they try to turn a hobby, interest or compelling idea into an enterprise. Most of these side hustles will probably not turn into full-time pursuits but the mere act of doing something about “the thing” rather than just talking about it can be life changing. The Internet connects us to a global market and network. There has never been a better time in history to hustle on the side and test your idea. It doesn’t even have to be a business. Sometimes just writing down your thoughts to share with other people can be satisfying.

?Shane Rodgers is the author of Worknado – Reimagining the way you work to live.

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