Sunday, December 31, 2017

Lifestyle: How to Set Yourself up for Success in January

How to Approach a New Year

With the new year upon us, it's that time and the frequently used "R" word is being thrown around like confetti.


Many of us make resolutions in January but it's only a matter of weeks before they are forgotten and we fall back to our old habits. 

I really don't mind the word 'resolution' but I think that's because I have a pretty healthy relationship with goal setting. I believe goals are meant to be set and reset time and time again. In fact, I really think it's a great idea to set your goals in January and then revisit them again in a few months. 

Check up on yourself every quarter- just like you would at your job. See what worked and what doesn't...

If you plan to set and reset, you won't get down on yourself if you don't make permanent changes in one shot. It's a process- not a magic trick. Real change takes time and is hard work. 



So how do I approach January 1st? For the last few years I've been doing a few things that have really worked for me. I have a New Year routine and it really helps me set my mind for the upcoming calendar year.



So forget "resolutions," here are the 'R' words you should be embracing this December 31st.

Recharge

Rest and Relax. As you wrap December up, take some time to pat yourself on the back. 

Good or bad, you made it through a whole year of challenges, obstacles, ups and downs. You deserve a break! Schedule some "me time" leading up to December 31st and do the things you love to do. 

               

Read a book, meditate, journal, do some yoga, go for a mindfulness walk, take a long candlelit bath or book a massage. The idea is to congratulate yourself on the year you've just completed and to celebrate the accomplishments that have come along with it. 

Taking this time for yourself will help you approach January with a positive attitude and more energy to start again.

Refresh

Clean, de-clutter and reorganize. These are things I love to do before a new year begins. There is something so satisfying about cleaning out your closet or junk drawer and getting rid of anything that doesn't serve you in the new year. Cleansing brings renewed energy into your space and into your life too. 

Put away some of your holiday decor if you're no longer enjoying it, rearrange your desk or bedside table, replace broken items around the home and generally de-clutter. Whether it's old makeup, outdated magazines or socks with holes in them, you will feel the shift in energy when you get rid of these things that are just taking up space.

Tip: take on one small action item at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed by this huge task. 

And don't stop there- open some windows, light some candles or burn some sage to cleanse the energy in your home before ringing in the new year. 

Reflect


The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on the last 12 months. It can be hard to remember all the things that went down when you look at the year as a whole. 

I recommend starting with your photo gallery. Just scroll through the photos you snapped over the last year. It's amazing the small moments we forget even happened. 


Take some time to remember the family gatherings, amazing sunsets, vacations, people and places you enjoyed and experienced. 

It's easy to lose sight of all the great things that happened when we are charging ahead to a new year. But I always think it's important to raise a glass to all that went well in the last 365 days and to celebrate the small things, while taking note of big changes or challenges of the year gone by. 


Reset 

Now that you've had time to reflect on all the awesome and not so awesome moments of the year gone by, it's time to set some goals for the year ahead.

Make a list (yes, write it down) of all the things you'd like to experience or achieve in the upcoming year.  Instead of broad statements like "Get in Shape," write down a solid and specific goal Ie. "Work out 3 evenings a week using an online video."
  

Once your list is complete, look at your goals again and see if there are a few steps that you could take in January to get your goals started. 

For example, if you want a new job in a different industry, take an online course in January that will help give you the skills you may need or update your Linked In profile as a first step.

If you want to "Travel More," find one place you can explore in your hometown in the Spring. 


If you want to "Eat healthy,"  borrow a vegetarian cookbook from the library or find a blog and commit to one new recipe a week.

Breaking your goals into smaller steps and chunks will help you get on your way to achieving them over the course of the new year.


Achieving your goals doesn't have to be a burden or cost a lot of money. Make it manageable and you can make it happen.

Let's Get It

I hope that these "R words" help set you up for a year of renewed energy and success ahead. Wishing you all an amazing celebration and a healthy, happy and productive year ahead.

Happy New Year and all my love! 

xo 

Angelie 

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