Trying to do too much will pull away your focus from what really matters.
Even better than making resolutions is setting concrete goals for yourself. Flesh out an action plan to follow throughout the year to get you closer to these goals.
Take some time to marinate in your “wins” from last year. Think about your successes and the hard work that went into making those accomplishments happen. It’s always a good idea to take stock of what you’ve done to stay positive and motivated.
Once you’ve made either a mental or physical list of what you’ve gotten done this year, it’s time to celebrate. That may be with a party or a day at the spa or treating yourself to a movie… whatever it is, dedicate some time to feeling good about what you’ve done.
As you get revved up for the New Year, don’t forget to relax. It’s important to use your holiday vacation to recharge before another crazy year begins.
The holidays are a great excuse to reach out to professional and personal contacts, give them an idea of what you’re up to and see how everything is going for them.
Take stock of the people you have in your life and spend some extra energy to make them feel how much you appreciate them.
If you’re looking for real-world, professional experience and the opportunity to travel to a foreign country, an internship abroad is the ideal blend of resume-building experience and adventure.
Set aside a time for self-worship. The only criteria is that you’re treating yourself and you’re doing it alone so you can focus on yourself.
On a walk or while you have some time to yourself, take an hour or two to really think about all of the different things you’re thankful for in your life. It can be anything at all that you appreciate.
Apart from your goals, aspirations and resolutions, take some time to dream. Let yourself fantasize about your life, your career, your travels… It’s important to have the time to dream big. You never know what ideas, passions and new goals may awaken.
Cherish the best moments of last year. Look through the pictures you’ve taken, make a list of your favorite moments, call up your friends to discuss the good, the bad and the ugly. Whatever it is, make sure you take in the last year before all of your energy goes into 2017.
Spend some time looking back and considering what you achieved and didn’t achieve and why. Think about how you’ll incorporate that knowledge and insight into the year ahead of you.
As you gear up for your New Year, you probably have an idea of what you want to achieve by the end of 2017. As you pursue your goals, it’s important to maintain focus on behaviors, what you’re doing, not the results you’re getting. The results will come if you stay focused and stay patient.
Travel adds new facets to your life. New places, new languages, new ways of life… Traveling can open up a new world and help us remember what’s really important.
Update your playlists to incorporate some new jams. It will bring you new energy for a new year.
It’s free. It makes you feel better. It makes other people feel better.
Sources: http://www.businessinsider.com/what-unsuccessful-people-do-in-the-new-year-2016-12, http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/14-tips-for-resolutions-that-stick-in-the-new-year.html, https://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/20-tips-for-a-positive-new-year/
Photos
1. based on New Year’s Eve, by vincentq, CC-by-SA 2.0
2. based on Wonder, by Frinthy, CC-by-ND 2.0
3. by iStock/Getty