Yes, it’s that time of year again, 2018 is coming to an end and 2019 is on the horizon. It is important to start preparing for the new year in advance to make sure you have everything in place and you are ready to start afresh or ease back into routine after you arrive back from your well-deserved holiday!
Create a list of your accomplishments: One way of preparing for the new year and all the goals you have is to reflect on the current year and all your accomplishments. It is great to set new goals for yourself, but it is also necessary to look back at the goals you did achieve as you should congratulate yourself on a job well done before you move on to the next goal. Look through your diary or planner and go through each month, write down and think about everything you did and really take the time to appreciate the hard work that you put in. These goals can be big, small or both, from getting that promotion at work that you were hoping for, to losing a few kilos after changing your diet and exercise routine.
Book any outstanding appointments and meetings: this is something that can help you relax as it is important to make sure that you get this out of the way so that you know you are starting the new year on a fresh note. Make time to book that dental check-up or the car service you have been putting off for the last few months even if it inconveniences you for one day, at least you know you can check it off your to-do list.
Clean out your cupboard. This is something we should all do every now and then as most of us have more clothes than we need and clothes that we hardly wear. Set aside some time to take out all the clothes in your cupboard and really think about whether you wear the item or if you really want it – donate all the clothes that you don’t want or need to a charity to make a difference in someone’s life. You can also sort your clothes according to the seasons so that your cupboard is more organised and you can easily find an outfit every morning thus saving you valuable time every day.
Stop those bad habits – this is an excellent time of year to try and stop those bad habits you have. This can mean very different things to different people, for example smoking or an unhealthy diet. Use this time to set new goals for the new year – ones that can help you lead a healthier and more productive lifestyle.
Set short-term and long-term goals – If you set both short-term and long-term goals you are bound to succeed as the short-term goals will be goals that you know you can and will achieve on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Setting long-term goals that are beyond your wildest imagination will help keep you motivated because once you know that you can achieve small goals regularly it will give you the motivation to work and fight hard to achieve the bigger, more demanding goals.
Create a ‘growth mind-set’ – this is important as a lot of the time we focus on what we cannot do or things we did not achieve instead of moving towards what we can do. Focus on how you can move away from the negativity and how you can find a new way to achieve your goal. For example, instead of focusing on the part of your job that you are not good at, try and think about ways in which you can improve. These small changes in the way that you think can help you grow and move towards success.
Time management is very important – by making schedules, delegating tasks and eliminating anything unnecessary, you are allowing yourself more time and space to focus on your dreams and get a step closer to achieving your big goals.
Strive for good health – it is important to try our best to have a healthy body and mind so that we are in the best shape to achieve our other dreams and goals. To do this, it is important that you focus on eating correctly, drinking enough water and exercising regularly.
Make sure you take time to upgrade and replace things in your environment that are important in your day-to-day life. This could be as simple as buying a new pillow, a new hairdryer or a new chair for your desk. These things might seem small but they play a big part in making you feel happy and comfortable every day and thus it will make you more productive.
Draw a mind map or create a vision board with words and pictures that relate to your goals and dreams for the new year. Place it at your desk at work or in an area where you can always see it. This will ensure that you always see the inspiration in front of you and even if you encounter a hurdle, you will remember why you are working so hard or what you are working towards after you look at the pictures and let the words speak to your heart!
So, get that pen and paper and start your to-do list and list of goals as nothing is ever too big to achieve if you really put your mind to it. Let 2019 be the year that you achieve the dream you have always wanted to, as everyone has the potential for greatness inside of them!
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