What's in a year...and what changes will you make in 2019?

The time between Christmas and New Year is often a time for reflection, and as 2019 fast approaches I'm today considering: What's in a year...?

To get specific, a year comprises 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, or if you prefer, 31,536,000 seconds...and the clock is ALWAYS ticking!

Once you consider the time that comprises an average lifetime, my own sense of urgency to take action, make things happen, and what's more, do it NOW, begins to take hold.

What will your 'dash' mean?

The dash on our tombstone is all we really have – possibly a little morbid for this time of year, but important all the same. We have no control over when we enter or leave this world, but with proactive thought and action we do have control over what this dash means to us and those around us.

Time passes, and passes quickly. Like grains of sand it slips through our fingers and there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop it. Every second is a moment in time that we choose how we spend. Often this choice is unconscious, and never really feels like a choice, but it is a choice nonetheless.

We all need to work and those with set working hours, let's say the 9 to 5, need to be where they need to be during this prescribed period. But, if your current employment, situation or circumstances are not where you want them to be, now in my book is always the time to make a change.

Change is always possible:

Ten years ago, I made such a change. I was in a job where I was unfulfilled. I had to be physically in the office to get paid, but this didn't stop my mental focus seeking out something better. By day I was a paid employee, but by night I was planning the launch of my own business, which became a reality in September 2008. Life runs in cycles and five years later in 2013 it was time again to make a change. I left my own business, to start the business I run today.

What's certain is that change is always possible.

How to make a change in 2019:

Looking back, the catalyst and motivation for change was really quite simple and took its form in two parts:

Feeling– the excitement I'd previously felt in my current position had faded. I no longer felt excited to get to work and move forward in my present situation. The jump out of bed in the morning had been replaced with a crawl, and it was this feeling that was a clue that something needed to change.

If you have a similar feeling, what is it telling you and what could be your next step?

BTA (Beliefs > Thoughts > Actions)– having the feeling that a change is needed is one thing, but making it happen is quite another. We can all think something and turn this thought into action at least for a certain period of time, but keeping going when things get tough is extremely difficult.

This is when beliefs come into play. I have no time for positive thinking, as in my experience the effects are only short-lived. What counts are strong beliefs that fuel empowered thoughts and consistent action over time until the goal is recached, no matter what.

Strong beliefs are unwavering, they don't crumble when things get difficult. They can be relied on in times of trouble and are the catalyst for new and exciting things.

I had a firm belief that my businesses would be a success. The difficulties I faced at the start I knew would only be temporary, not because of wishful thinking, but because of rock-solid beliefs. The difficult days didn't stop me in my tracks, instead they propelled me forward and fuelled my determination and resilience.

For the most part in 2018 the news has been filled with doom and gloom. The political and economic climate in the UK has been in turmoil and there is nothing to suggest that 2019 will be any better. Surrounded by this negativity it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that now is not the right time, but this is an illusion. You have the power to believe what you wish and changing your beliefs to see opportunity is possible. This is exactly what I did back in 2008 when arguably things looked a lot worse than they do now.

If you're looking to make a change, what do you really believe about your next step?

In summary:

The time is always NOW to make a change and to set a course on a new trajectory, and the start of a year is just as good a time as any to take control of your life, career and future.

What motivates you and what are you really passionate about? What have you been putting that with energy and effort could become your reality?

Whatever 2019 means to you, you have the power to make a change for the better. I wish you every success!

If this article has resonated with you and 2019 is the year when you're committed to make a change, you might be interested in watching the recording of a special webinar I recorded on 3 January: Get the most out of your 2019.

For support, training and coaching, please visit: https://careercodex.com