Congratulations on making it to another year. I hope that your 2015 consisted of more successes than failures. If it did not, then you may be ready for a new beginning. Which means it’s that time of year again to set your 2016 New Year’s resolutions.
Now, you can do the typical things such as vow to quit smoking, lose weight, and cut the haters out of your life. Otherwise, you can attempt to do something different. I have a good alternative for you.
The following are six things that can help to improve your 2016. Think about them briefly, then take action on them. As you read these six suggestions, remember — none of them will work unless you take action. Action is the key.
- Define your purpose (self-consciousness): Purpose is an essential part of life. Many of us struggle with defining a purpose. This is because we can have multiple life purposes, since it depends on your current life situation. Therefore, figure out what that purpose is and push forward.
- Quiet an unproductive habit (self-assertiveness): This is a common thing that many of us tend to do during this time. However, it can still be powerful if you actually take action on it. It also does not have to be anything huge like no longer smoking or drinking. It can be something small like not hitting the snooze button on your alarm and waking up on time.
- Go somewhere new alone (live purposefully): As we continue to grow socially, we tend not to do much without being with others. Therefore, it is important to go somewhere new alone. This gets you out of your comfort zone and builds confidence.
- Clean up your social media (personal responsibility): Yes, you must clean up your accounts. This does not mean just blocking and deleting people from your list. It also means changing settings, adding new people, and updating information. This gives you a presence on social media and also allows for new information and experiences to take place online.
- Buy something nice for yourself that you normally would not (self-accepting): Go out and get something you normally would want someone else to buy you. You deserve it. However, do not break the bank on yourself. Make sure you are spending wisely. Go get that thing you’ve had your eye on for a while.
- Give yourself a title outside of what you already do (self-integrity) and be about it: Yes, if you want to want to start the New Year with a new attitude, you will need a new label. Define who you are and live it.
I hope that you make the best of the New Year. We all must think about improvement on a consistent basis. Everyone wants to be successful. However, everyone does not want to take the often difficult steps to get there.
The two main points I am getting at in this column are getting out of your comfort zone and taking action. These are just six simple suggestions to help with your 2016. Take the challenge and see what outcomes happen from them.
Remember, the first step to success starts with you determining you want something better. Make everything you do count!
Brandon Jones M.A. is a mental health practitioner. He welcomes reader responses to Brandon@jegnainstitute.com or follow him on Twitter @UniversalJones.
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