Make Every Day Like New Year’s Day

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What is it about this time of year? You’ll probably know what I mean: the frantic run to this often self-imposed deadline of Xmas. Suddenly, we need to have everything done by then!

Then it’s Xmas. So whatever Xmas means for you and how you celebrate or recognise this time of the year, I hope it’s all you want it to be. Quiet or frenetic. With family and friends or by yourself. Working or volunteering. Or simply celebrating the lives and memories of those no longer with you.

At Xmas we know January is waiting in the wings. That the craziness of Xmas will soon be a fading memory as New Year edges closer at an increasing pace. And, if we’re not careful, 2024 will morph into being just another year.

Yet it doesn’t have to. Does it?

Optimism and Hope

I’m fascinated that as the new year approaches, we’re filled with so much optimism about what lies ahead. Often so glad to see the last days of the outgoing year. Ever hopeful the magic of the midnight fireworks, kisses from new friends, champagne toast, or singing Auld Lang Syne will somehow mean that this year things will be so different…

Maybe they will. Maybe they won’t. You’ll know this time next year.

The magic lies in the hope things will be different. Hope is a beautiful thing that gets us through the tough times. It can turn pessimists into optimists. Or families and friends into believers that it is possible to be, do and have what you want this year.

So, it got me thinking many years ago.

Shorten the Cycle

What if we shorten the cycle from a year to a day? Start taking time each night, morning – or both – to refocus and make every day feel like New Year’s Day? Would this rekindle that hope every day?

And then remember that resolutions are simply goals. Goals so often set without realising that’s what they are. Destined to fail before they have a chance to succeed because there is no structure behind them or focus on them.

Even starting with the plan of refocusing every day is a step forward. You may not always achieve it, yet the intention keeps you on track. Especially when life has a habit of putting challenges, situations or events in front of you to test resolve, resilience, resources – and priorities.

Then, a good friend reminded me that, for many, Easter is the symbolic time of renewal. So, maybe we could break the year into ‘halves’ or ‘quarters’? Reviewing progress at Easter and New Year – and two other points in between? Like the end of the financial year and the end of winter.

Well, let’s not overthink it. 

Set Your Timeframe

It doesn’t matter what time frame you use – a day, week, month, ‘quarter’, year – as long as it works for you. Allows you to refocus. Track progress. Modify your plan. Keep hope and optimism alive each day. Because work for you it must.

So, if you’re grappling with how to make next year different, why not take a fresh approach? One day at a time. A daily reset to keep it simple, no matter how you break up the year. If the only benefit is mastering how to put yesterday behind you as you focus on today, you’ll already be ahead.

Enjoy

On that note, have a fabulous, safe, healthy Xmas and a Happy New Year! Whether you make resolutions or not, may you be filled with all the hope and promise that leaping into 2024 brings.

If you’d like to share your thoughts about how to make every day like New Year’s Day – or how you already do that – you can share them below.

Until next time…

Anne

PS: Today I want to showcase one of the Things We Like – Exercise Physiology. It’s the first one on my list because the value of moving your body safely is often underestimated. When I started with a Personal Trainer many years ago, this is where I started – and I’ve never trained with anyone who isn’t an Exercise Physiologist. However, this is only place you may find them. Their training and expertise extends well past Personal Training into many other domains where there is evidence that exercise can improve health. So if you’re curious, why not find out more about what an Accredited Exercise Physiologist is and where you’ll find them.

I’m a work-health-life Strategist working with people like you to master communication, and to improve health and wellness so that they achieve the highest quality life for as long as possible. If you’re curious about how to move from where you are now to where you want to be, let me know.