Hey, Happy New Year!
As we move towards the second week of the new year, it is time to reflect on your New Year's resolutions. How are they going for you so far? If you struggle to keep up with them, you're not alone. Many others are in the same boat.
This year, I have noticed fewer people setting New Year's resolutions. It seems like some have lost faith in setting and achieving goals. With the increase in the number of people trying to catch your attention with catchphrases like How to achieve your goals this new year and more like this, I understand if you are tired of all the New Year's hype and empty motivation. That is why I want to share what has been working for me.
Let us dive in with the first two tips:
Tip 1: Get a Diary
Buy a simple diary. Remember that the diary is for you to use and not for you to post about it on your social media. Do not waste your time, energy, and money buying an aesthetic diary. Instead, buy whatever you can get your hands on. Use it to jot down tasks you want to remember, not just your everyday work routine, whether it is a reminder to buy healthy snacks or to meet someone.
Keep it accessible, with people embracing minimalism and trying to keep everything inside. Keep this diary on your desk or any place where you can start writing in it without having trouble looking for it anytime you want to jot down something.
For all the tech nerds, yes, you can do that on your phone/ tab/ laptop, but hey, I am an old-school pen-paper guy. Judge me all you want. I will stick to my diary and pen. From my experience, I prefer to write stuff rather than typing it. I believe while digital tools are convenient, there is something powerful about putting pen to paper. But what works for me might not work for you. If typing is your thing, don't let me stop you and type it out.
Tip 2: Prioritize, But Be Flexible
In my first year of college, my friend and I were having a discussion about our classes. She told me about this professor who gave all of the students three passes, which she called 'Life Happens.' Students could come to the class as late as they wanted to or even miss it, yet they would still get attendance. It was limited to 3 times per person, which sounded great t and is practical because life happens. It happens to all of us. Why am I telling you this story?
As much as I am a fan of prioritizing things in my life, I know that often, I am unable to or frankly do not want to do something on that list. Because I do not do that particular thing, I tend to procrastinate on the remaining tasks. Prioritizing tasks is important, but life can be unpredictable. If you can not complete the top-priority task, it does not mean you should abandon the rest. Be flexible and adjust your plans as needed.
These are just the first steps. I don't want to overwhelm you with a lot, so stay tuned for more tips in the upcoming posts, and if you are struggling with these tips or have any feedback, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help.