Are you eager to reinvent yourself in 2021? Or at least use the new year to conquer your unresolved excuses for not being able to achieve the life you desire?
Yes, it’s that time of year again. The time when we feel excited to start something new that will bring us success and happiness.
The question, or many questions, we should ask ourselves include: Are we prepared physically and mentally? Do we have a support system in place when we feel unmotivated and ready to quit altogether?
To avoid overwhelm and possible procrastination, pick one unhealthy habit or one area of your life to begin with. Give yourself a month or more to make sure your new habit is solid and working.
By making small, manageable changes, you still have the best chance to be a whole new you at the end of the year and it’s a much more sensible way of doing it.
What’s the one habit you most want to change? Tell your family and friends as they will hold you accountable for your behaviour.
Don’t position yourself in a situation where it will be easy to make huge goals for yourself but hard to achieve them. Maybe the new year is not the best time to make major life decisions. Traditionally, this is the time when we celebrate, and our diet drastically changes (too much food, too many eggnogs makes us feel lethargic and unmotivated). Plus, there is a continuous concern about an unpredictable future.
Here are a few simple steps that might help with your new year’s resolution:
Plan in advance for greater success
I love this quote: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Many of us start to plan a major life change right after a new year’s party. Maybe that’s the wrong time to make important life decisions. To ensure success, you need to have a clear mind to research the change you’re making. Get all the systems in place and ready to make your change.
Get the information you need
Go to the library and find books on the subject, whether it’s quitting smoking, getting finances in order or updating a resume. The internet can also be a great resource for whatever information you need. Also, look for college courses that interest you. Plan for success by organizing your home, your wardrobe and your mind.
Expect obstacles
When you start the big life change, it’s almost certain the obstacles will appear. Think of them as a life lesson we all need. This is a normal setback, one that can be solved. Perseverance is the key to success. Even the most successful people in the world fail sometimes.
Plan rewards
Small rewards are a great encouragement to keep you going during the hardest first days. Share your excitement of new beginnings with your favourite relative or trusted friend.
Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company based in Powell River and has written several books on reducing clutter and becoming more organized. For information, go to solutionsorganizing.com.
