The key to new year resolutions
New Year’s resolutions can be a dreaded concept for many. With them comes the presumption of failure. Considering the circumstances of the past year, many of us are running particularly low on energy and motivation. So, starting the new year with resolutions can seem incredibly daunting.
Take a moment to realise that there’s no need to give into the societal pressure of traditions in order to make change. It must come from within. That way, failure won’t seem so inevitable.
In fact, it’s ok to not make any resolutions. Developing small new habits over time is a more realistic and sustainable approach. Shift your mindset to the long term and choose one thing you want to change. By opting for one specific thing at a time, you become more focused and determined to stick to it. This one thing can quickly turn into a habit and before you know it, it’s part of your daily practice.
Make it work
Since we spend one third of our life at work, choosing a new year resolution for the workplace is a great place to start. It’s also keeping in tune with this month’s pillar of career! If you wish to stay more organised, you could write down a to-do list every morning before you start your workload. Maybe you want to learn a new skill so the first step is researching a course.
You might even want to rethink your professional goals. Is your career aligned with your core purpose? Are you happy in your job? If the answer is no, it doesn’t mean you have to quit your job tomorrow morning! Rather, it empowers you to look deeper in your current situation, reevaluate your job description and set new goals. It’s important to realise that your work life can live in harmony with your personal life; they should balance. If you feel they are a little out of sync, it’s time to think about finding purpose in your career.
Ora’s top tips for change
Start small and try not to change too many things at once. If you’re wondering ‘‘how many new year’s resolutions should I make?’’ (if any), it’s always going to be one - take one small step at a time.
Eliminate the pressure of making changes in January. There’s no need to rush; you can start your new habit the following month. The January blues may well correspond to this.
Decide where and when this new habit slots into your current routine. By dedicating a certain amount of time and choosing a particular time of day and/or location to implement your new habit, it becomes easier to keep.
If you’re making a new year resolution, or a small change as we like to call it, tell us about it on Community Conversations by logging into your Ora account.