How to Make 2017 Your Best Year Yet

How to Make 2017 Your Best Year Yet

“And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Do you believe in New Year’s resolutions? I love change, I love learning, I love growing as a person and I have to say that I kinda like getting older too. But I don’t think I like the term “resolutions” (which is probably because it reminds of all those years that I’ve failed at them). Do you know that only about 8% of people reach their New Year’s resolutions? Let’s do ourselves a favor then, and call them “goals.”

With the new year, there’s this fresh energy in the air and it’s a great opportunity to make some small (or big) changes in your life.

GET ORGANIZED

While new year is perfect time for a fresh start, the end of year is a perfect time to get organized. Get rid of all the clutter and everything else that no longer serves you. Old bills, papers, old magazines. Clean your car (I just found about 15 water bottles sitting around somewhere under my car seats). Do the same thing with your closet: get rid of all the clothes that you no longer wear, donate whatever you can. Go through all of your handbags; throw away all those old receipts and other bits that found their way in and have been stuck in there for months. Do the same thing with your pantry, kitchen and your digital space. How much junk email are you getting at the moment? Unsubscribe from all services/websites you no longer use and visit, delete unused apps and old images you no longer need from your phone. De-clutter your life now, and set yourself up for success! It will feel SO good.

BE PREPARED

Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. I just told you how great getting rid of all of the clutter feels, but here’s the thing: you cannot wait until “Monday” or “tomorrow” or “next week”. Do them NOW. Start today. If one of your goals is to eat healthier, make sure that you get rid of any junk food you have sitting around. If you want to live a more positive, happy life, stop complaining TODAY. Make a list of the things you love, instead of complaining about the things you don’t have or don’t get to do. Whatever your goals are, make sure you have a plan, make sure you’re prepared, keep a journal, wake up early and get s**t done.

CREATE A VISION

Your goal (or goals) can’t be just a vague desire. If you want to make any type of change, you need to define your goals. Every December I create a vision board for the new year to come. While getting rid of all of those old magazines that I have sitting around, I go through every single one of them, looking for pictures, quotes or text, articles that inspire me, I cut them out, I glue them to a white cardboard, and I hang it up in my office. As I drink my tea every morning, as I get ready for the day and check my emails, one of the first things I do, is look at my vision board. Every time I look at it, I feel inspired and motivated. This is also a fun thing to do with your kids. I helped one of my friend’s create a vision board for her daughter and all three of us had so much fun doing it.

Related posts:

• Affirmations for the New Year
• Easy Ways to Simplify Your Life
• How to Chase Your Dreams
• How to Eliminate Distractions and Be More Productive

STAY PERSISTENT

Whatever it is that you’re after, whether it be a really small, or a drastic change, keep pushing and don’t give up. Don’t doubt yourself. Never, ever talk about the things you want to accomplish in a negative light (i.e. “I’ll never be able to____ because ____“). This is not only a biggest turnoff but it also sends out a message: “I don’t believe in myself.” If you come across some sort of a roadblock, go around it, find another way.

“The secret to happiness and peace is letting every situation be what it is, instead of what you think it should be and making the best of it.”

You may not have control over everything that happens to you, but you do have control over how you react to things that happen to you. This won’t always be easy. Sometimes very unfair things will happen to you. Sometimes you can find yourself feeling angry and frustrated. When things like these happen to you, you have two choices: you can let it get to you and keep the anger and frustration inside, or you can release it and try your best to find peace in those situations and move on.

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS

“Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.” ~Joseph Campbell

Following your bliss means doing what fulfills you, it means following your heart, your desires, your passion. We all have big dreams, but you can start by doing small things you love while chasing those big, beautiful dreams. Remember, that you were meant to have an amazing life, even if doesn’t always feel like it. Learn to forgive. Practice gratitude daily. Do the things you love. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing. Don’t complain. Cherish the close people around you. Make mistakes. Learn. Dance (even if it’s just you alone, in the kitchen). Smile. Listen to your heart and don’t take yourself too seriously. Spread your sparkle. Practice self-care, do small things for others, but also for yourself.

Above all, stay focused, but remember to have fun along the way.