Personal Growth and Positive Change
Setting New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to focus on personal growth and positive changes. Setting unrealistic goals can be defeating so set small goals to accomplish before you jump into those larger commitments.
Some easy ideas that can lead to big rewards might be focusing on your fitness and health. This has long term benefits. Start small such as pick a 2-3 step exercise routine and build from there to joining a gym once you feel like you have a good rhythm. Try and eat a balanced diet by starting with a change in breakfast choices. And of course stay hydrated with plenty of water by using a clear water bottle with set goals of how much you will consume before noon and dinner.
The new year might be a great opportunity to learn something new. Maybe you might want to take on that new cooking class you keep eyeballing or explore a new educational resource. Learning new skills or hobbies really can add a great array of new tools to your toolbox.
Another marker for the first of the year is creating a budget to save money and cut out unnecessary expenses. Having a surplus of funds is a sigh of relief if an emergency were to arise such as a new set of tires or leaky roof.
Kicking off the new year by quitting a bad habit is a tough one but you can do it. Set small goals and seek support from your friends, family or professionals. Maybe it is smoking, social media, sodas, alcohol or whatever the vice, start with reducing a little bit at time so you see your success.
Here is a big one…Improve Mental Health! Practice mindfulness and meditation. Seek therapy or counseling if needed as there are plenty of online telehealth options such as Betterhelp. Develop coping mechanisms for stress to de-escalate and reset .
Ever thought of Volunteering or giving back? Here is your chance. Dedicate some time to community service or donate to charities or causes you care about. Making a positive impact in your community is both rewarding to you and those receiving.
Improve your Relationships! Spend more quality time with loved ones and try to communicate openly and honestly. Being transparent and vulnerable is scary at times but taking that first step to soften can open a door that seemed shut. Work on resolving conflicts and strengthening connections with those you may have lost touch with or possibly had a rift. Life is too short!
And lastly, set professional goals for the year. Attend training or seek opportunities in a new career field. It might lead to an advancement or promotion. But don’t over do it as you definitely want to keep that work-life balance.
Remember that setting realistic and achievable goals is essential for success. Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate your progress along the way. It’s also okay to adjust your goals as needed throughout the year as long as you are moving forward.
