The last week of 2015 was
really a hectic one, what with preparations for the Holidays - Christmas,
Boxing Day and New Year's Day; however the last two days have kept me busy
planning my 2016.
Here I am not referring to
those great big projects…these are little activities than can make a huge
difference to your life and enjoyment.
Each year I want to
improve on the last.
So I’m gonna make 2016 my
best year ever…what about you?
Here are some of my thoughts
on how to make 2016 Your Best Year Ever…
1. Go on a date with your
other half.
My wife and I have been
married for 16 years now and counting and I still ask her out on dates. Can be
simply a pizza in the local restaurant…but it’s fun.
My wife and I try and get
out at least once a week.
2. Get in shape. I’m not
saying join a gym or start jogging.
Just do a little more
exercise. Maybe walk to the local shops instead of getting the car. Use the
stairs instead of the lift. Along with more exercise, eat healthier. Eat only
one biscuit instead of three. Eat cakes only at the weekends.
Try some simple small
steps.
3. Make contact with an
old friend.
How many ‘friends’ have
you lost touch with? Too many. I know I have.
Take 30 minutes out of
just one of your days each month and contact an old friend – maybe by email or
Facebook.
4. Change your journey to
work.
You’ll be off autopilot
which means you’ll get new ideas.
Taking a different route
makes your brain work differently.
5. Your first week back at
work after the Christmas break, get to work 30 minutes earlier and leave 30
minutes later.
Use this extra hour to
knock one big thing off your to-do list. Knocking things of your to-do list
will reduce your stress levels, help you sleep and at the end of the week while
going home, start planning how you’ll spend the pay rise you get!
6. Only list the things
you are really going to do and let go of the things you keep saying you are
going to do.
How many years have you
said you are going to do something and never have?
Write a book, learn a new
language, start drama classes or learn to draw. If over the last few years you
keep saying these things and you never start, you never will or will this be
the year?
If not, let them go and
only list things your will do.
7. Plan your holidays.
What holidays will you be
enjoying in 2016 and 2017. Think about them now, plan them, and book them.
Have something to look
forward to.
8. Change the TV channel.
Start watching some of the History or Discovery channels or dare I say it…watch
less TV than you did in 2015 and complete some of the other activities listed
here.
9. Never skip breakfast
again.
10. Update your resume.
Even if you are not
looking for a job. You never know when you are going to need it.
Plus by updating it as you
go, you remember all your achievements.
11. Re-arrange your
furniture.
Great therapy and gives a
new perspective in the room you live.
12. Start your own
business or shut-up about it.
Will 2016 be your year of
starting your own business or will you just talk about it (like you have for
the past 5 years).
It’s your choice but
please don’t just talk about it.
13. Change your aftershave
or perfume.
Still wearing that same
old smell? Get a new one, surprise the other half!
14. Clear your desk of
rubbish.
Either file all the
paperwork or ‘bin it’.
Get a simple ‘in’, ‘out’,
‘reading’ tray. They do work. Tell everyone about your new ‘clear desk’
process.
Having a clear desk can
save you hours and be so invigorating.
15. Get your kids into
exercise.
I’m not talking about
going down the gym or start jogging. But go swimming with them. Have a family
bike-ride.
Encourage them to join a
local sports activity club.
Take them and stay and
watch them – don’t just take them, dump them and use it as a crèche while you
go shopping.
16. Make dinner for your
partner.
Leave the office early,
get all the ingredients and cook!
17. Re-read a book you
read 10 years ago.
You just never know what
you might find.
18. Do some voluntary
work.
You’ll be helping others
and it is one of the best ways to find new contacts.
19. Organise a ‘mans’ or
‘girls’ night out with 6 of your best friends. Have a good old gossip. You’ll
love it.
20. Introduce a new work
habit.
Talk to your customers
everyday.
Managers, employees who
talk to customers have the advantage over those that don’t. Find out what their
issues and needs are.
Then, even better, be a
customer.
Experience what it is like
to buy your business’s product – you may be surprised.
21. Talk to someone you
don’t know.
I do this all the time!
Making conversation with
someone next to you in a queue will make you feel good.
22. Pat yourself on the
back. List all your achievements (can be used to update your resume as well).
This will help inform you
what areas you excel in and allow you to feel great about knowing what your
strengths are.
So there we are.
A number of simple
activities you can easily use to make your 2016 even better than 2015.
Which ones will you use?
What can you add?
#DrJTF
I have just started these all over again
ReplyDeleteJust called 5 of my old friends that we have lost touch with
And I hope to organize a "boys out" hang out soon