Actionable Advice

New Year – New Goals A New Year means a fresh start: a chance to look inward and evaluate who you are and who you want to be, and to thoughtfully consider your dreams and plans for the coming year. #FindYourFocus Set Your New Goals   There is endless advice about setting and achieving goals (such as my handy How to Maximize Your Potential PDF 😉). The truth is that the only advice that will ‘work’ is advice tailored to YOU and your situation. That’s why in my book and in my newsletters, I stress how vital it is to look inside, to know yourself, and to genuinely embrace your fabulosity in all its aspects. As with so much in life, it’s up to us to embrace a ‘New Year, New Me’ outlook because, in the end, we are the only ones who get to control our behavior. So, think about your goals and what will make you happy, and remember that ‘no thanks’ is a perfectly valid response to unwanted pressures. Having said all of this, I am at heart an optimist. I think 2024 is going to be a GREAT year, and I’m excited for it.  What I Do… In my years as an environmental professional, motivational coach, and now as an author writing my second book, I have found three strategies to be universally helpful and actionable. Set the Right Objectives: there’s a difference between goals, aspirations, dreams, and multistep tasks (which can feel like a goal was achieved when you cross off that last item on the checklist). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4N1q4RNi9I Establish S.M.A.R.T. Goals: this planning method helps you clearly define what you’re after and how to get it, so you are able to make real plans while keeping the full scope of your life goals in mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elJcG83m-qg Develop Good Habits: no one is perfect, so doing your best to engage in daily practices that benefit you is crucial to establishing a foundation on which to build. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSZyzhi8C9o Going in to the New Year, many of us will resolve to change our lives or ourselves in some way. According to Forbes, the most common resolutions are: Improved fitness (48%) Improved finances (38%) Improved mental health (36%) Lose weight (34%) Improved diet (32%) Finances aside, it’s clear what we want most is improved physical and mental health. To help get you started, here are a few simple, easy-to-follow strategies you can use all year round for any gathering from a colleague’s going away party to that backyard barbeque. Tips and tricks to avoid eating, drinking, and stressing too much: Balance your meals – get the protein, veg, and carbs you need. Use a small plate – research has shown this reduces over-eating. Take small servings – this allows you to try several dishes. Eat more slowly – this allows your brain to recognize when your stomach is full. Don’t linger at the drinks and food tables – this helps avoid mindless grazing. Laugh – it releases endorphins. Take a walk – this helps you digest, clear your mind, and stimulates your mood. Don’t be too hard on yourself – life is a magical journey to enjoy!