Kick-starting the New Year in a way that works for you
December 26, 2022
Becky is a member of our Step Forward into Volunteering and Employment Team, find out more about this here.
For many of us, heading into the New Year means New Year’s resolutions – setting off with good intentions, promising ourselves to get fitter, eat healthier, spend less and save more. However, often our good intentions don’t make it past the end of January!
For some, it’s all about completely new beginnings, maybe a new job or getting into volunteering and giving back in our local communities.
But for those struggling with their mental health, that phrase ‘New Year, New You’ can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment.
So, it’s important to kick-start the New Year in a way that works for you on an individual level.
Because when it comes to making changes in our life it can often feel daunting, overwhelming even, but things take time – What’s that saying? “Rome wasn’t built in a day!”
Start by taking small steps, creating goals that are realistic for you and actions at a pace that works for you.
You make and you take these next steps. They will be realistic and achievable for you, remembering that once you start reaching those goals or completing those actions, you’ll get a sense of satisfaction, which will give you a little extra motivation to take on new ones.
Helping you get started: How traffic lights and frogs could help
When planning your goals, why not give the traffic light system a go? It’s a concept about thinking of things as ‘outcomes’ rather than ‘to-dos’.
And even if you’re currently not working, a to do list/goal setting plan can make such a positive difference to each day.
TOP TIP: When you’re planning your to-do list, have a think about ‘eating your frog’.
It’s a concept from Brian Tracy, which really hit home with me the first time I heard about it from a friend. And if I was being honest, for three small words, the concept has had such a positive impact, in all aspects of my day to day.
So, I’d recommend for you to try and “EAT YOUR FROG” early each morning and kick-start your day in a more positive and proactive frame of mind.
Rounding up: New Year: Goal, Plan, Action…
Whatever you decide to do for you during year, it’s important to factor in time for your wellbeing in a way that works best for you!
Every Mind Matters have some brilliant resources to help. A standout feature on this site is that it offers a tool, which provides you with personalised tips and advice to help promote positive mental health and wellbeing on a more bespoke level.
