Every Day Is A New Year

A new year for many is a time for that big fresh start, for a better you whether “better” means smarter, sexier or happier. January is awash with determined gym membership sign ups and bright eyed faces in evening classes.  Inevitably, by mid-January, many plans for a “better you” are almost entirely abandoned just as you had started to grasp how to order a coffee in French or complete a single press up.

A radical suggestion perhaps but maybe it is time we started treating January like the other months of the year. If you fail to follow through your goals in January then fret not and pick up where you left off in February. Cut out the panic and disappointment at the start and spread a little effort across the twelve months and beyond.

And while we’re on the subject of spreading it about, be realistic about how much time and energy you can give to each ambition. You may want to be a multi-lingual martial artist and scientist like 80s muscle man Dolph Lundgren, but chances are that finances and the day job restrict how much you can actually do if you want to do it well. Carefully decide what future achievements are most important and give it your all like the world’s most attentive mind-blowing lover.

To make things even easier and more achievable, start small and build up from there. Want to get fitter but haven’t exercised in an age? Start with a walk in the park or an improvised dance in your living room to your favourite upbeat tunes. Want to venture into writing? Start a journal to get practicing and brainstorming your ideas. Keep up small regular actions and eventually you will have the desire to challenge yourself further.

Finally, remember that this is not a competition and be kind to yourself. If you have friends or colleagues with similar goals to you, don’t compare your progress to theirs. Also, every once in awhile we all have the need for a bit of down time for reflection and physical restoration. A weekend under the duvet can be an essential pleasure.  

So not Happy New Year but Happy All-Year-Round!