At the time of writing, we are at the start of a new year; the perfect time then to shake up your life by making conscious decisions to change your life for the better. It’s what you decide to do early on in the year that will shape your life in the weeks and months ahead, and beyond. This is where it starts. This is where you resolve to do better and be better. The new year gives you the opportunity to start with a blank slate. It starts now, and with that in mind, here are just some of the life-changing decisions you may want to concentrate on today.
#1: Decide to spend more quality time with your family
We aren’t suggesting you don’t spend time with your family, but the busyness of life can sometimes get in the way. Your busy, your kids are busy, your parents are busy, and quality time is missed. Decide then to not let that happen. Timetable days out together. Insist on sitting together at meal times. Cancel any activities that are not a priority, and use the time doing something with your loved ones. Make this a habit, and you will all benefit. Relationships will grow, bonds will be strengthened, and you will start a path where there will be less risk of any regrets in the future of not having had enough time with the people closest to you.
#2: Decide to improve your career opportunities
You may be perfectly happy with where you are in your career, and that is fine! However, if you are seeking that promotion, or if you are looking for a career change, stop delaying your opportunities. Do those things that will make a difference to your career, such as expanding your skill set and doing voluntary work. You might want to step back into education too, getting those qualifications that will fast-track you to where you want to be. Be it an online course akin to this distance learning MBA degree or a night school class, going back to school may be essential if you want to improve your career. Life is too short to be in a job that holds no rewards for you, so if this is something you have been considering, make that decision to start exploring your idea of a dream career and take the steps necessary.
#3: Decide to live a healthier lifestyle
As we said, life is short, and it will be even shorter if you don’t commit to living a healthier lifestyle. It’s not easy, and it does take willpower, but you know it makes sense, not only for you but for your whole family too. Role model good behaviour and encourage the same in your partner and children. Spend more time in exercise, alone and with your loved ones. Commit to a healthier diet. And quit those bad habits that are inhibiting your health, be that smoking, drinking too much alcohol and caffeine, watching too much television, or something else. For both your physical and your mental health, you do need to make this a priority. So think about what you need to do to commit to a healthier lifestyle, and then do it. Your life depends upon it.
#4: Decide to take control of your finances
So, how healthy are your finances? Do you save each month? Are you running your household according to a budget plan? Are you free of debt? Do you have clear financial goals? Or are you living paycheck to paycheck? Are you wasting money knowingly or unknowingly? Are you struggling with debt? Your long-term future is dependent on your financial situation today, so if your finances are in a bit of a mess, you need to take control. There is some financial advice here, but seek advice from your bank or an accountant too, and if you are struggling with debt issues, book an appointment with a debt-relief charity today. Take control now, and this time next year you should see an improvement in your financial situation.
#5: Decide to spend more time practicing self-care
Okay, so we have advocated the need to spend more time with your family, but me-time is important too. You are more than a mother, partner, friend, and confidante. You have a life outside of the demands that others impose upon you. If you have been running short of me-time this last year, and if you are caring for the needs of others more than your own, then it’s time to make changes in your life to focus on yourself. This isn’t easy we know, especially when you have a busy lifestyle, but your mental health depends on it. Here are a few self-care ideas, but include anything that is particularly personal to you as well. We aren’t telling you to be selfish. We aren’t telling you to ignore the needs of others. But remembering that your needs are important too, now is the time to make that decision to be kinder and more responsible to yourself.
#6: Decide to offer gratitude for your life
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Your life isn’t perfect. There will be times when you wish you were somebody else. There will be times when you wish you had done something different with your life. And there will be times when you consciously resent your life, and many of the aspects within it. Well, that may not be true for everybody, but many of us do live a life of regrets, and what-ifs, and envious desires. If you are nodding your head in agreement, you need to do two things. The first is to make those changes that will get you to where you want to be in life, but the second is to offer more gratitude about the good things in your life. Be grateful for your family, and the friends you have around you. Be grateful for all of the things you have achieved in life, be that at home, at work, or in any other aspect of your life. Be grateful for the lessons you have learned, and for the person you have become. And start a gratitude journal to remind yourself of all of these things. The more grateful you are, the happier you will become, so today decide to focus on the positives in your life, and spend less time dwelling on anything you perceive to be negative.
Finally
Your final decision is this: decide to follow what we have suggested in this article, instead of procrastinating or ignoring our suggestions entirely. If you want a better 2019 and a better overall future, you really should make those conscious decisions to take those steps that will benefit you. You know it makes sense!
