I’m sure at some point nearly everyone has sets a New Year’s Resolution; whether it is more exercise, lose weight, drink less, eat healthy or stop smoking.  However, if you are anything like me, you have usually realised by either January 2nd or 3rd that you’ve lost interest or broken or promise/commitment already.  All too often I’ve found myself saying “doesn’t matter, I’ll start tomorrow!”  I know I’m not alone with this, particularly if you are on social media plenty of posts made around this date will be from people stating that their New Year’s Resolution has failed.  An important thing to remember though before you get too disheartened about your resolution is that according to Business Insider, 80% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions by February.  Instead of creating New Year’s Resolutions lets create bigger and better goals that are achievable and rewarding.  Use the New Year as a time to ‘clean out and cleanse’ the old to start a fresh; this could be either in your personal or professional life.

AT HOME
Us the start of the New Year as a time to Spring Clean; empty out the pantry, de-clutter your wardrobe, donate those goods and rearrange furniture.  Start with little challenges, open your Tupperware (plastic container) drawer or cupboard (which I’m sure everyone has) in your kitchen; you will be amazed how many containers don’t have lids or how many lids are missing their containers.  Be ruthless with your cleanout; this is after all the start of the New Year, get organised, become refreshed and ready for the New Year ahead.  Do you really need ten containers all the same size?  If you haven’t used the item in the last 12 months chances, ask yourself “do I really need it?”  I started my home project during the Christmas break, I emptied the pantry, tidied out the kid’s wardrobes, donated bags of clothes, weeded the garden and even planted a vegetable garden.   Keep going until you are satisfied and are ready to start the New Year with a fresh new outlook!

PERSONALLY
Start the New Year with a new outlook on life.  Be positive, be motivated and be energized!

~ Why not reassess your personal goals (don’t call them New Year’s Resolutions as we know that’s not going to work).  Consider all that you want to achieve and create steps to make the happen.  Is it a deposit for a house?  Is it an overseas holiday?  Is it joining the gym? However big or small, these are your personal promises.  Only you can achieve them and only you can break them.  Make the New Year your New Start!

WORK
Have you been contemplating a new role, new opportunity, or additional training?  There’s no better time to get things happening than the New Year.  The job market is quite slow at the end of each year until the beginning of February which then begins the shift and increase in employment opportunities.  Now is the time to do it!  If you are unhappy or just contemplating the notion of a change – do it!  I always tell candidates that life is way too short to stay in a job that you’re unhappy with.

Make 2018 your year, be happy, be healthy and be successful.