Another perspective on New Year resolutions

How do you feel about the whole idea of New Year and the dreaded resolutions that we all seem encouraged to make? How often have you, after an overindulgent and sedentary festive season signed up at the start of January for gym membership, begun a new diet and taken up a hobby??And how long is it before you have fallen back into your Netflix on the sofa with a family pack of your favourite chocs habit?!

Instead of resolutions perhaps there’s another way.?Here are a few suggestions:

·??????Review 2022.?I know it has been extra grim if you look at in a wider context, so we’re not going to do that! What worked for you personally? What would you like more/less of? Where do you see areas for greater self-development and growth? What tweaks can you make that on a longer-term basis will make a difference?

·??????Have a word of the year. Use this to set your intention for 2023.?I know this whole idea might set some people’s teeth on edge, but choosing brave, calm, joy, growth, inspire for example as your word might just allow you to see some challenges in a different light.

·??????Break the year into quarters and have a realistically sized list of things that you want to do for those three months.?They don’t have to be huge milestones, these little changes could become habits and have a big impact. If for whatever reason you are unable to do them in that quarter, commit to doing them in the next.

·??????Many coaches mention the power of writing down your goals.?Go further and add them to your diary with a date by which you will start them.?We’ve probably all heard about SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) objectives.?Hold yourself accountable or better still, tell someone close to you about them and be accountable to them.

As for me, I’m choosing gratitude as my word of the year.?It’s so easy to take what you have, what you are able to do and the people around you for granted. I’ll be leaving little reminders around my desk/on the fridge etc and will then review at the end of 2023 what difference it has made to my year.