COO’s Corner: How to Start the New Year Successfully
January 11, 2021
The new year is finally upon us, and as I’m sure many of you would agree, it couldn’t have come soon enough. 2020 was a unique time to say the least, and with more promising days now in sight, there’s never been a better time to ensure you’re feeling fresh, focused and ready to take on 2021. Here are three things you can do to start off the new year successfully.
Evaluate your goals – and keep them in a safe place
The new year is often considered a clean slate. It’s “resolution season,” and many feel the pressure to set fresh, sometimes lofty goals in order to start the year off “right.” However, it’s important that you don’t leave behind the goals you set over the past year – ones that you’re still working on. For example, if your goal was to run a marathon last year and it just didn’t happen, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed or it’s time to move on. Not every goal has a clear timeline, and it’s okay if you haven’t accomplished everything you’ve set out to yet – especially in a year like 2020.
I highly recommend evaluating your goals, old and new, and focus on the ones that will only better yourself in the weeks, months and years ahead. And, don’t forget to keep them in a safe place! Meaning, ensure you physically write down your goals somewhere that’s easily accessible. Try jotting them down in a planner, journal – even the notes app on your phone will work. When your goals are kept in sight, you’re better equipped to take smaller actions each and every day that will help you crush them in the long run.
Take stock
In addition to taking a closer look at your goals and what you want to accomplish, don’t forget to reflect on the things you already did! Rather than focusing on how challenging the past year was and holding on to negativity, celebrate the wins, big and small, that you achieved despite the roadblocks.
Start the new year by appreciating the good change in your life. Think – what went well for me last year? What improvements did I make? What relationships did I build? What did I remove from or add into my life that’s now making me happier? I’m sure you’ll remember more good things that happened than you’re giving the year credit for.
Prioritize your mental health and wellness
While physical health and fitness are a typical focus during the new year, don’t forget to tend to your mental health and wellness, too. There are plenty of little things you can to do get started. Limit your screen time, get some fresh air or start a journal. Make sure you’re allowing yourself time to pause, reflect and better understand your thoughts and emotions. Most importantly, be kind to yourself and understand that it’s okay to take a step back and focus on YOU. Every single one of us has faced our fair share of challenges that have been physically and mentally draining, and you can’t pour from an empty cup. Putting your mental health first and optimizing your well-being will only benefit you and your growth in the months ahead.
Wishing you all a healthy, safe and happy start to the new year!
Lauren Izaks is the COO and executive vice president of All Points Public Relations, a franchise-focused PR agency based in the Chicagoland area, www.allpointspr.com.
