Here are 10 tips to implement in 2020 to make it a good year.
It's just around the corner now and we are still stuffing our faces with leftover Christmas dinner and that's ok.
We still have a few days to chill before we enter the new year but let's get excited.
A new year, a new decade and new challenges all lie ahead.
If you're like me, you will probably overlook last year and want to move in 2020 with a fresh start ASAP.
But this leads me to my first tip:
1) Taking A Look Back At 2019
Grab a pen and paper.
We are going to sit down and take a look back over everything we achieved over the last year.
And remember, what we did achieve not what we failed to achieve from last year's resolution list.
You may not have achieved everything you wanted to in 2019 but I bet if you take a look back you'll find you did accomplish more than you think.
We tend to dwell on the negatives and not enough on the positives so write down everything you achieved, no matter how big or small, and give yourself a pat on the back.
2) New Years Resolution List
Let's get excited about 2020.
Write down all the things you want to achieve over the next 12 months.
No matter how big or small or even how ridiculous it may sound. Nobody has to see this list just you.
Write everything you want to do down on this list.
3) Not Everything At Once
With this new years list, you've got to be patient.
I think most people tend to fail when they try to do everything on their list at once.
Try to implement the things you want to do gradually throughout the year.
I recommend a bit of planning and don't try to rush everything.
4) Don't Be Afraid To Fail
Fail. Fail a lot.
It is literally the best way to learn.
The usual reaction to failure is to quit but try turn that on its head and say 'I've just learned something how do I continue from here'.
5) Learning Something New Quarterly
My mate started doing this recently and I'm going to implement it for 2020.
This is something outside of your main goals and outside of your regular line of work.
Pick something you enjoy doing and learn about it. Whether it's about music, language, wine, horticulture, whatever it is, there are loads of cheap courses online to get you started.
This isn't supposed to be strenuous, just enjoy it.
Imagine having four new areas of passion by this time next year.
6) Pick Up Something Creative
This is my big plan for 2020.
How many times do we put off playing an instrument, painting, jewelry making, again whatever it is let's give it a go.
Again, this is for pure enjoyment.
Everyone can be creative and it's really important to have something creative you like doing.
It frees the mind.
This year I'm going to learn the saxophone - well I'll be giving it my best shot.
7) Social Media Detox
We are literally stuck to our phones every second of every day.
Try to give yourself phone/social media detoxes.
Start out by even trying one day a month. It doesn't have to be a huge amount of time but it will make a big difference.
If you can increase the detox time throughout the year - deadly.
If you give this a go make sure you do something nice with the spare time like meeting mates or going on a hike.
Try not to just sit in front of the television.
8) Friends & Family
I am the worst person in the world for keeping in touch with people and it's really not hard.
Make some time to visit your family or go out for a nice meal with them.
Give your mate a call and see if they want to grab a coffee.
Will you be happier after laughing with your mates for an hour or mindlessly scrolling on Instagram for an hour?
9) Exercise
This has to be the biggest new year's resolution failure ever.
You can literally see it in real-time if you're a member of a gym because it will be packed in January and back to regular come March.
Most people don't really like exercising, especially at the start, so try and find something you actually enjoy.
I tried group classes with
Movement this year, which I didn't think would be for me, and really enjoyed it.
Give things a go, whether it be football, running, pole dancing - whatever0 until you find something you like.
10) Look After Your Head
The best thing I did in 2019 was that I started to meditate.
You have to make time to look after your mind, it's like a muscle, it takes constant practice.
But it's worth it.
Check out this article I wrote for world mental health day -
Eight Things I Do Every Single Week To Look After My Mental Health
Go forth and make 2020 the best year yet.
