A New Year...A New Me

Given that it is the start of a brand-new year, how could I not take this opportunity to join the long list of ‘new year, new me’ enthusiasts that are posting about?being a better person, goal-setting, gaining focus, time management?and?personal development? At least one of which I’ll imagine you’ve vowed to hone as soon as you have returned to work…or are you still procrastinating…or are you simply amazing as you are and it’s everyone else that needs to change?

Let’s get to the crux of the matter…day-to-day life can so very easily become a hindrance in our quest to achieving our goals and when those aren’t achieved, well, that can be pretty deflating. So we must have a plan to head these off when considering our goals...these are as important as our goals!

• Where am I headed?
• Am I happy in my job?
• Do I need to learn new skills to get further in my career?
• How can I get a better work/life balance?
• What do I want from life?

Why do we do this at this time of year? Your change in mind-set may arrive because we become more reflective over the festive break, or if it’s because the New Year instills a new start of some kind, it’s this time of year that prompts us to look at the bigger picture. Maybe you have experienced a particular life-changing event and this has been significant enough to prompt you to make personal changes and commitments. Some may well feel the social pressure of having to change and so we may start out with all the correct intentions of doing so (because everyone else is) but with their personal drive actually stemming from a collective movement rather than a true personal determination. For some this is helpful and for others, well their personal motivation can also diminish. Where is yours coming from?

Whatever the type of goal is it will be completely individualistic – we can all have a similar goal, but our life and the challenges we face are very different. What is even more personal is just how much of a B.H.A.G it is to you (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). A crucial factor in all of this is about you – just how committed and determined are you? Just how important is this to you? Can you visualise what success will mean for you?

Here are our tips on achieving your 2017 goals – whether they’re career-based, personal achievements, or simple tips to instill a better balance between work or play, we feel that any combination of these tips can help cement that achievement for you.

1.??????Audit

While you’re contemplating and dissecting things, consider any habits or people currently holding you back. If you surround yourself with negative people, you’ll have to fight harder to remain positive; if you mix with people who motivate and inspire you, it will be far, far easier to move forward and to always see the opportunities in life. It could be that your diary or day-to-day routine needs a shake-up: could you delegate elements of the housework to other members of the family, for example, or reduce obligations and ‘duties’ that you’ve collected without even noticing?

2.??????Be kind

Not just to others, but to yourself too. Goals are fantastic, but they’re not worth your health; if you’re at risk of burnout, consider whether the goal you’re aiming for is?realistic. Are you trying to prove something to someone else, or at risk of pushing yourself too hard? Imagine?you?were your best friend – how would you advise or help?you? What would you suggest to?you? Expectations can be damaging: make sure what you’re aiming for is?what you want, and you’re doing it for the right reasons. Money rarely brings happiness, for example, if it doesn’t exist already.

3.??????Be prepared

Make 2017 the year you get on top of your finances and personal paperwork. If you’ve been meaning to write a will, do it. If you intend ‘getting round to’ sorting your pension arrangements, make this a priority. The peace of mind you’ll get from knowing all your personal matters are in order will be worth it. Having solid financial foundations will also encourage any saving or investments.

4.??????Assume less

The trick to being a kinder person starts with fewer judgements and assumptions. Don’t label the homeless person in-front of you as any less of a person – we could all be the victim of a downward spiral; until you’ve walked in someone else’s shoes, you’ve no idea what they’re going through. Treat everyone with the same kindness and respect, whether they pay your wages or clean the company loos. We’re not made up of different races and classes – these are societal influences and restraints. We are all human beings, made up of the same chemicals, compounds, matter and energy.

5.??????Life-hack

This is a term for those small details that make a big impact. Like taking five minutes before you go to bed to make things easier in the morning: pick your outfit for the next day, fill the coffee pot for your morning coffee, put a cover over your windscreen on frosty evenings to save twenty minutes’ ice-scraping before you set off. There are thousands of life-hack examples across the internet: find the handful that will save you precious minutes.

6.??????Affirm

Goals tend to be reached by those who constantly affirm where they’re headed, whether that’s their inner voice reminding them continually, or by post-it notes/visual imagery in their office/on their fridge as motivation. As we said earlier, life gets in the way of best-laid plans, and even the strongest enthusiasm can falter; never losing sight of your goal will help you achieve it.

7.??????Ramp up the discipline

This may seem dictatorial, but it’s the only way you’ll attain more, learn more or realise more. Distractions are all around us (our smartphones are permanently glued to us – huge distractions!); if you want to get more from?your?24 hours you need to change things. Two hours’ mindless surfing in the evening could be two hours spent studying, planning, working or spending quality time with loved ones. You won’t find more daytime hours hidden behind the cooker, you have to carve them from your habits and routine. Work smarter, not harder.

8.??????Trade

Swap experiences for material things. A brand-new car would be nice, but if your current one still looks and drives perfectly well, why spend the money changing it? Instead, travel more – visit somewhere you’ve never been before. Not only will you get as much, if not more, enjoyment, the opportunities and mental stimulation you’ll get from broadening your horizons, meeting new people and stepping out of your status quo will enrich your life much more than a change of number-plate. Life experiences are far more valuable than you could ever imagine.

9.??????Take care

When working long, stressful hours, it’s common to rely on junk food, erratic mealtimes, poor sleeping habits and unhealthy vices. Not only will you feel better with nutritious meals inside you, you’ll also sleep and operate better. Your productivity will increase, as will your motivation. Some gentle exercise will also help to sharpen your mind and body, if done regularly. You’d put premium petrol and oil in your car for better performance, wouldn’t you? So why make your body’s fuel full of rubbish?

10.??Experiment

Aim to try one new thing every day. Or, if that’s too much of a commitment, every week/month. It could be a new food that you’ve never eaten, a new place to visit, a new sport/hobby, or a new career (by volunteering some of your free time, for example). You might not take to some of these new experiences, but you may find that you’re crazy about others. Think of the possibilities – where might these brand-new passions lead?! In all seriousness, it’s comfortable and easy to do what you’ve always done and to never step out of your comfort zone, but life is full of opportunity. Don’t save ideas for your bucket list – do them now!

Make 2017 the year you grab life by the horns.?Here’s hoping all your dreams come true.