(ThyBlackMan.com) Whenever a year comes to an end and a new one is just around the corner; many take the time to reflect on their achievements over the past twelve months and look back on what they’ve learnt and how they’ve developed. The new year is also a time for many to have a fresh start, make positive changes and get on track with new plans and ideas. However, an over-indulgent festive period, bad weather, and various other situations associated with January can make changes and fresh starts very challenging for some. There’s a lot of pressure to do things differently after New Year’s day, and you might feel overwhelmed and unmotivated, which is perfectly understandable.
Therefore, now it an ideal time to start listing the things you’d like to achieve in the new year so that you can progress and move forward. Get your notebook ready and write down some achievable goals;
start with the bigger goals in mind, and work out smaller ones along the way that will help you get there. Setting yourself manageable weekly achievements will help to encourage you to push forward. Most importantly, you don’t need to wait until 1st January to begin your journey; start today. Put into practice the little changes that will contribute to your ideal bigger picture. If you’ve already started taking action towards your goals; the new year will seem far less daunting, and you can simply continue in a positive manner. The following are some areas to consider regarding your resolutions and some ideas for those who want to make changes for a positive impact on their new year ahead.
Health
The sooner you tackle your health, wellbeing, and fitness, the better. There’s no use in waiting for the new year to arrive; you’ll only strengthen any detrimental habits and it will be harder to get into a healthy way of life come January. Whether you want to shift some weight, build some muscle, improve your diet and fitness, or quit unhealthy habits; it’s a smart choice to do your research into the ways in which you can best reach your goals. Do things in stages; cold turkey or baptisms of fire are usually short-lived and you won’t be able to sustain your new lifestyle choices for very long. Therefore, a sure and steady approach is always best for longevity, and great results.
If you want to quit smoking and tobacco; websites like ACUK can show you an array of E-liquids that are an alternative. Vaping is not a cure for your habit, but an alternative to your habit is a good place to start. The same goes for any habits that are detrimental to your health, lifestyle, and wellbeing; you’ll need to seek professional advice, seek help when needed, and take things one step at a time. Don’t focus on this time next year; focus on today and what you can do differently, you’ll soon get into the swing of things and will have made a significant start when January arrives.
Finances
If you’re unhappy with the state of your finances, job role, or career; make some serious decisions as soon as possible. Don’t wait until Christmas is over and you’ve spent a lot of your hard earned cash; take action now. Think about your next career move; you might not have the chance to do anything until the new year as many companies wind down for the season, but you can begin to look into any training and development that will help you move up the ladder at work. Start adding to your resume and make sure that it’s explaining who you are and what you can bring to a business or role; you’ll be able to start looking for work opportunities straight away, and when something of interest comes up, your resume will be ready. Check out sites like TheBL who have tips on updating and improving your resume, and gain some ideas.
If money and income is a worry; work out your monthly budget today so that it’s in place in time for the new year. Try to cut down on unnecessary spending, and work out ways to save cash on essential items. If you and your family are in need of larger household essentials; don’t overspend for Christmas. Wait until the sales arrive in January and take advantage of them. You’ll be able to get the same item for a fraction of the cost and may only need to wait a week or two more. Take some time to figure out if you’re able to get a better rate on your interest rates, insurance costs, and energy bills now. Most people will be focusing on the festive period so that companies will be competing for your custom. Therefore, utilize price comparison sites, and get some quotes done for your property and belongings so that you can make an informed decision and switch to a better deal.
Relationships
If you want to strengthen certain relationships in your life; what better excuse to begin rebuilding and working on them than Christmas? Stop putting off speaking to people until the new year, and pick up the phone or pay them a visit this weekend. Time is precious, so don’t waste it being angry and upset with those you love; go and build bridges so that you can continue to do so in the new year. The same goes for romantic relationships; starting a conversation is the best way to get to know someone and begin a journey together. A greetings card could be the ideal way to open up the lines of communication, and then you can take it step by step from there.
Whatever you want to achieve in 2018; you have plenty of time now to set the wheels in motion. Starting today will mean a more productive tomorrow, and will lead you into a successful and happy new year ahead, so what are you waiting for?
Staff Writer; DeWayne Brown