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New Year, New Goals, Same Routine

New Year, New Goals, Same Routine

If you are thinking that it is hard to believe that 2023 is already here, you are not alone.  Now that holiday season is over and we have said our farewells to 2022, it is time to return to our usual routine.  Winter breaks, short holiday work weeks, and family gatherings are mostly behind us.  The only thing left to do is remember the past fondly and to set new goals for a new year. 

 

Setting Goals

When most people think about the New Year the thoughts of what the future may hold comes to mind.  Afterall, the New Year is about making new resolutions to help us better ourselves.  Some of these commitments involve a commitment to better health.  This can be through exercise or improved diet.  Other promises are emotionally and mentally driven.  A promise to quit a bad habit like drinking or smoking, a pledge to spend more time with family and friends, or a commitment to having a better work life balance.  These are examples of the types of New years resolutions we all make.  The hard part is consistently following through with these goals.  It is easy to stay on track for a couple weeks or even a month, but will we still be holding true to these pledges come May, June, or even July.  The answer to these questions varies by individual but there are ways to ensure success.  Make a resolution that is doable or even set up a timetable.  It is hard to make major life changes overnight, but if you start by taking the first step of a lengthy process it will get easier over time.  Set a goal and have a plan that you can manage.  This way you are setting yourself up for success for the entire year, not just for the first part of it. 

 

Remembering the Past

We spend a lot of time talking about our plans for the future around New Year but often spend little time reminiscing about the past.  The week between Christmas and New Years is really the only time people talk about what happened the previous year.  This does not have to be the case.  January is a wonderful time to reset and to reflect.  Businesses slump a bit because most people are worn out from the busy December season.  We have more time to think about our successes and our failures and to learn from them.  Any successful business professional uses experience to plan for the feature.  Now that our workload is more manageable set up a meeting to talk about lessons learned and how to apply them going forward.  Sometimes a few minor changes in procedure make a dramatic difference in improving efficiency.  It is crucial we recognize these opportunities early and plan to change.  This will allow us to stay relevant in our fields and continue to strive for improvement.  Making decisions for the next big holiday season starts in January.  People and companies that plan ahead are always more successful than companies that never change anything.

 

Planning for Change

Companies and people that do not change never make any progress.  Change can be difficult and stressful but that is not a good reason to shy away from it.  Spend time thinking about what you want to accomplish and what steps you will need to take to get to your goal.  Set stretch goals for yourself, for your peers, and for your family.  Often people are willing to change but lack the necessary push to get started.  Can you be that spark for yourself or for others?  Additionally, be supportive of others who are struggling to make progress.  Everyone has high and low points, and everyone needs help from time to time.  Can you make a positive impact on the people around you?  

 

With the New Year comes new opportunities, new challenges, and the unknown.  Meet the challenges of 2023 head on and do not fear making mistakes, everyone does.  Learn, growth, and become a better version of yourself and have a safe, great, and happy New Year.