Simple tips to start the year right!

As one year closes and another year opens, many people reflect on goals achieved or not achieved.  I know I am and upon reviewing some of my goals, perhaps they should have been re-visited half-way through the year when I knew that realistically they were not going to be achieved.  I feel both defeated that I didn’t achieve the goals, however hopeful that tomorrow is a new day and that it will be a fresh start.  

I know that setting goals can be scary, stressful and even overwhelming because one doesn’t know where to start so I thought I’d put together some suggestions to help get started.  

Most people’s resolutions, goals typically fall under these 7 categories:

• Career
• Finances
• Family & Friends
• Health & Wellness
• Spiritual
• Community
• Fun & Recreation

Some may be more important to others and perhaps some may not even enter into your goals, everyone is different.

If your looking for some guidance and want to ensure you’ve created some positive steps for living your most blissful life ever, here’s a few suggestions to help you feeling accomplished 365 days from now.  Most people’s goals tend to revolve around the first four, so I’ve decided to tackle these ones specifically in this posting.

Career:  If your looking to either change your career or enhance yours skills, read 10-15 minutes everyday on that particular topic or if you don’t like reading, listen to audio books to and from work.  Knowledge is power and when broken down in small chunks, you’ll realize how manageable it is to find 10 minutes to read and all of a sudden you’ll have read through an entire book in no time.

Finances:  Paying off debt or saving money is always at the top of people’s lists and somehow at the end of the day, for 95% of the population there is never enough.  You should always pay off high-interest cards first before saving money, however it’s good to put it out to the Universe that you want to save. So start with a $1 a week.  Don’t start next week or next month, but this Friday open up a bank account and transfer a $1, next week put in $2, the week after $3 etc, at the end of 52 weeks you will have saved $1,378!  I guarantee it will leave you feeling accomplished.

Family & Friends:  In this digital world, particularly Facebook, posting a Happy Birthday greeting on someone’s page seems to be the norm.  However, to make someone feel extra special, what about a handwritten card; a phone call or a Facetime date – it’s that added touch that strengthens the relationship because let’s face it anyone can write “HBD” on Facebook – does that really tell your loved one your thinking of them?

Health & Wellness:  This is typically at the top of everyone’s goal and you see it all the time at the gym - the first week in January the gym is packed, by mid-month or the third week in it’s back to the norm because people have already forgotten about their goal!  Start slow - make a date with a friend to keep you accountable and go for a 10-15 minute walk, 3 or 4 times a week or if you can’t make a date in person call up a friend to keep you company.  Every week add another 5-10 minutes.  Before you know it, you’ll realize how much you love the feeling of breathing in fresh air and moving your body!  Of course don’t forget to stretch when you get home.

Every day is a new day and a new opportunity, so let go of the past and start realizing that you are truly capable of anything you set your mind to.  Surround yourself with your cheerleaders and a positive support system and you’ll be amazed at what you’ve accomplished a year from now.

Have a happy, healthy and prosperous start to the year!
xoxo,
Kimmy