New Year = New You?

The pressure is on. Christmas is over, and we are on the countdown towards 2018. This means a frenzy of activity is happening in homes up and down the country as people clean, take down Christmas decorations, and plan all the big things they hope to achieve in the coming year.

An attitude for gratitude

Your plans for next year should begin from a place of gratitude for all that you’ve experienced this year. So, make a Gratitude List, and include everything that you are truly thankful for this year. Appreciating the experiences, we’ve had helps us to see what truly matters in our lives and leaves us able to plan more of what we enjoy.

Top Tip – Create a gratitude journal in that lovely new diary Santa brought for you. Each morning (or evening) note down one or two things you are grateful for that day. You’ll be surprised by what you notice and how quickly gratitude becomes a part of your day.

 

This will be the year I …

‘Most people over estimate what they can achieve in a year, and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade.’ Tony Robbins.

Thinking about goals for the coming year, it can be easy to go big. Why not start small and set realistic aims using the acronym SMART. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed. You’re not going to start a new job in January or lose 3 stone in weight, but you can update your CV and start looking or sign up to join a slimming club.

Top Tip – Start with your big goal and break it down into smaller targets spread throughout the year. This way you stand a better chance of sticking to your plan, and you’re giving yourself the opportunity to celebrate your small successes.

 

It’s all about you

The most successful New Year resolutions are designed to improve yourself for yourself, not to impress others. This is a time to be selfish, to take the time and figure out what you really want out of the coming year, and how you intend to get it. Working towards personal goals brings a sense of achievement and personal accountability.

Top Tip – What does your life look like a year from now? Visualise yourself sitting on New Year’s Eve 2018 writing your annual Gratitude List. What are you most grateful for? Picturing the product can help you figure out the small steps to take along the way.

 

Take it slowly

Reviewing your progress on an on-going basis is much better than getting to the end of January and realising that you didn’t use that gym membership once. Consider your lifestyle and existing commitments, then decide how important this change is for you. If you really are determined to make a lasting transformation, you will find the time to do so. But looking at things on a weekly basis is a good start.

 Top Tip – spend time each week planning your meals to ensure that you have plenty of healthy, nutritious options. Knowing that you’re having your favourite meal at the end of the week could be the incentive you need to avoid the office biscuit tin.

Never give up. Never give in.

Most people have quit their New Year Resolutions by the first week in January. Don’t set yourself up for failure but start with a positive attitude and success on your mind. Taking the time to properly think about what you’d like to achieve helps you to get to the heart and soul of your goals.

Top Tip – You’re going to have set-backs and days when you wonder why you started. This is where your gratitude lists each day comes in very handy. Looking back on all those notes will help you to feel motivated to continue, and if all else fails start over again. There are no limits on how many times you get a do-over!