It’s that time of the year where we commit ourselves to self-improvement once more. But after the difficult year we have all endured in 2020, there is a genuine desire to keep the changes going beyond March 2021. For once, your NYRs are actually worth making.
Nonetheless, you will be setting yourself up for failure if you opt for unrealistic targets. Small modifications can turn impossible challenges into achievable goals. It will also change your mindset. Here are just some of the best examples to consider as we approach January 1st.
Don’t Lose 50lbs. Do Improve Your Health.
Losing weight is the most common goal by far, and millions of people will set out with aims of dropping huge weight in 2021. In reality, those unrealistic targets will lead to broken spirits once you fall behind. Therefore, it’s better to focus on building a healthier body rather than focusing on the scales. Not least because muscle is leaner than fat.
Getting fit and healthy in 2021 can take many forms. Simple steps like good hydration and reduced processed foods consumption are key starting points. Meanwhile, fitness can be made by using bike rides or playing team sports. If the gym works for you, that’s great. However, if it feels like a chore, looking at the alternatives is key.
Being a slave to the scales can actually demotivate you. So, focusing on looks and feelings allow you to enjoy the rewards of your hard work right away. Perfect.
Don’t Quit Booze. Do Enjoy It Responsibly.
You do not have to be an alcoholic to have a problematic relationship with alcohol. In truth, millions of Americans struggle to drink in a healthy manner, which leads many to try giving up. However, depriving yourself of celebrating a job promotion or a family wedding will only make you unhappy. Unless you’re an alcoholic, the key is to focus on moderation.
A responsible relationship with alcohol may include reducing alcohol consumption at home. Or ensuring that one night out per month is sent drinking mocktails. Crucially, you should also understand how it affects your body. From using a BAC calculator to know when driving is far from knowing which drinks to avoid, only you can take charge. Now is the time to do it.
Cutting out alcohol completely may actually cause you to relapse and put yourself at danger. When you find the right balance, 2021 will be a far happier year.
Don’t Aim For Perfection. Do Put Yourself First For Once.
The problem with many NYRs is that they aim for perfection. Spoiler alert: nobody is perfect. Consequently, then, you will find that minor mishaps can derail your progress. Rather than striving for perfection, it’s far better to focus on unlocking the best version of you. To do this, you must give yourself the TLC you deserve, which means learning to put yourself first.
Cutting people out of your life is tough, but it may be necessary to create a brighter future. Toxic relationships, friendships that strangle ambition, and financial sponges are just some examples. Meanwhile, listening to your body by checking out lumps, bumps, and toothaches is vital too. Stop ignoring them in order to help others.
Whether putting yourself first for physical or mental health reasons, the rewards are telling. Crucially, you will be far more likely to keep the work up throughout the year and beyond.
Don’t Stop Spending. Do Control Your Finances.
Money worries are an incredibly common source of stress. And building a better financial future is rightly one of the most popular resolutions. However, trying to cut financial spending will never work. You still need to eat and live. Instead, it is far smarter to focus on gaining financial control. If nothing else, this will leave you prepared for any unforeseen issues.
The first step is to analyze your spending to see if cutbacks can be made without impacting your life. For example, running a broadband speed test may enable you to adjust your home package. Alternatively, your cell phone deal or car insurance could be changed. Those switches deliver savings without any noticeable change to your daily lifestyle.
It’s important to increase your income too, but this is often a long-term goal. Set your objectives and find the best way to make those developments happen. You won’t regret it.
Don’t Remove Your Carbon Footprint. Do Reduce It.
Most people are now conscious of living a greener lifestyle. Sadly, many will set themself up for a fall by trying to cut emissions completely. The world is evolving to encourage improvements. Yet, the thought of a carbon-neutral lifestyle is still a little inaccessible. The key is to take a responsible approach while allowing yourself a chance to enjoy a convenient life.
Switching to an electric vehicle is great if you know that charging won’t be an issue. If it could, it might be worth driving a hybrid for the next few years before choosing an EV next time. Home upgrades like using LED lights and water-saving appliances will be very useful too. Habitual changes, including learning to turn products off at night, are also vital.
You may want to go vegan or vegetarian but shouldn’t feel guilty if it’s not for you. Likewise, if you need to use plastic, that’s fine. Just be sure that it is disposed of in a suitable way.
Don’t Lecture People. Do Educate Them.
The start of a new calendar year isn’t only a chance to improve ourselves. It’s also a great opportunity to think about ways you can help others. Once you’ve discovered a better way of doing things, your eagerness to tell them is impressive. However, when the information is presented in the wrong way, it can feel condescending. And most people will ignore you.
Educating people in the right way means building two-way conversations. Get them excited to learn about the topic themselves, and allow them to discover benefits for themselves. In addition to educating friends and family, social media allows you to influence followers and strangers. Again, interaction and active participation are vital for success. Embrace it.
When you influence people correctly, the impact will be far greater than any self-improvement you make during the year. What more could you ever want?
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