A new calendar year always offers an opportunity for a fresh start and provides an additional pinch of motivation to banish some habits that have stopped serving you well (did they ever?). Here are 10 things to leave behind to foster a stronger, happier, more successful you in 2017. (Entrepreneur)<\/p>\n
Have you been thinking about traveling\/switching jobs\/getting healthier\/starting business ventures? Big dreams aside, have you\u00a0put any actions in place to realize them? Putting things in motion is the only way to get somewhere.\u00a0Otherwise, ask yourself if you do really want this thing that you’ve been talking about all this time.<\/p>\n
We all have our “what if” moments,\u00a0decisions we question\u00a0or regrets we harbor. The secret is this though — it already happened and you can’t change it. But you can actively change the future, so rather than focusing on the things of the past, invest in shaping the future you want to live out.<\/p>\n
Being resilient, independent and driven are admirable traits, but you don’t have to do everything yourself. People who ask others for help\u00a0not only achieve things more efficiently and curb the likelihood of burning out, they also build strong networks of likeminded individuals that push them to grow and experience new things.<\/p>\n
People are divided into drains and faucets. Make the leap and cut out those who take up your time and energy without contributing to your success, growth\u00a0and happiness.<\/p>\n
Your body needs proper nourishment to keep you energized and in positive spirits throughout the day. So does your mind. Taking even a 30-minute time-out during lunch to have a proper meal and give your brain a break from all of the work-related thoughts will keep you more productive and focused.<\/p>\n
Organizing doesn’t come naturally to all of us, however if your work desk looks like it was hit by a paper avalanche\u00a0and sticky notes coat all surrounding surfaces, it’s time to get minimalist. For one, putting a system in place for filing your projects\/important communication and maintaining a comprehensive agenda will increase your sense of composure and assertiveness.<\/p>\n
Sure, you set up your LinkedIn page or finally started a blog — but how often do you update them? Your brand (and reputation) doesn\u2019t grow overnight. Being consistent with your online properties\u00a0allows you to add building blocks to your evolving career and increase exposure through algorithms built into the digital platforms tracking activity.<\/p>\n
While you\u2019re staying up late answering emails and tying loose ends to be more productive, you\u2019re actually doing quite the opposite. Apart from the\u00a0myriad of health issues\u00a0that continuous undersleeping has been linked to, it is also a significant contributor to deteriorating performance and cognitive functions. An odd late night aside, make sure you gift yourself proper sleep to be on top of your game.<\/p>\n
Phrases like \u201cI can\u2019t do . . .,\u201d \u201cI\u2019m not good at . . .\u201d and \u201cI don\u2019t know how to . . .\u201d wire our brains to focus on our shortcomings and question our abilities and self-worth. Instead, adopt a language that is empowering and solution-oriented, that highlights your willingness to learn and utilize your strengths to develop your skills.<\/p>\n
Having ambitious goals is admirable, however the timeline associated with their realization is generally lengthy, and involves a sequence of steps. Don\u2019t wait for that final puzzle piece to be put in place to feel like you\u2019ve accomplished something. Recognize that you are investing time and effort every day to bring yourself closer to your goal, and celebrate smaller achievements along the way. After all, it\u2019s not as much about the destination, as it is about the journey!<\/p>\n