Question yourself for greater success and happiness!
Lose a stone. Write a book. Declutter the house. Most people make New Year’s resolutions with the best of intentions but, come February, most (or all) have fallen by the wayside. This year, instead of giving yourself an ultimatum and setting yourself up to fail, why not take a different approach? Ask yourself these thought-provoking questions at the start of 2019, then ‘check in with yourself’ by answering the same questions every week or month. Your focus will shift towards personal growth and development, and, come December, you may just be giving yourself a pat on the back.
- What Should I Be Grateful For?
“I wish I had this… If only I was better at that… Why are others so much luckier than me?” Many people focus so much on what they don’t have rather than what they do that they don’t take time to be grateful. Or they’re so busy rushing around, getting caught up in their day-to-day craziness, that they don’t have time to stop and smell the flowers. Enough! Everyone has something (probably many things) to be grateful for. You need to acknowledge your blessings – big and small – and say, “Thank you, world, I’m lucky”.
- What Should I Start?
Have you always fancied giving something a go? Maybe sailing, knitting or wild swimming? Use the new year as an excuse to get started: don’t plan it, don’t think about it… in the words of Nike: Just Do It! It doesn’t have to be a new hobby, though – it could be a new habit you’d like to get into that will make your life run more smoothly. Maybe early-morning meditation or packing your lunch for work the night before. Whatever it is that you’d like to do, start now.
- What Should I Stop?
Try to identify what’s been holding you back from reaching your full potential. Perhaps there’s a toxic person in your life you should see less (or none) of? Maybe you’ve got a bad habit you’ve been meaning to kick? Giving up something negative in your life will make room for something more positive. It might be hard but it’ll be worth it.
- What Should I Do More Of?
When you look back at the past year, what makes you smile? Time with friends? A family road trip? High-fiving your colleagues when you landed that account? Whatever made you happy, do more of it.
- What Should I Do Less Of?
Conversely, when you look back at this past year, what makes you anxious, stressed or tearful? Overanalyzing? Overscheduling? Overworking? Whatever made you unhappy, do less of it and say, “I’m over it!”
- What Should I Continue?
Perhaps you’ve already started something and are still working towards your goal. Don’t give up! Keep at it and success – in one form or another – will be yours. Enjoy the journey and embrace the things you learn along the way.
