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Give yourself a positive start to the year |
| Posted on Dec 06 2009 at 10:41 AM |
Like many of us do at the beginning of January; I am contemplating the year ahead and thinking of ways to be a better person, to be happier, healthier, and live my dream!! Here are some ideas I’d like to share with you for a positive year ahead.
1. Think positive. You ‘can’t afford the luxury of a negative thought’ (title of a book by Peter McWilliams) in these times of change and the negativity around us in the media at present.
2. Talk positive. Positive talk will not only lift your spirits, but those around you too.
3. See it happening. Visualise the things you would like to see happen, in your life, and in our world. Each time we do this we connect with like-minded people around the world, and create positive ideas that we can turn into action. If you are not a visual person, hear or feel those things instead. Who are or what are you connecting with?
4. Make good use of time. Think about how you would like to spend your time. Cut out the things that you consider a waste of time (e.g. to much television) and fill them with things you really want to put your energy into.
5. Live in the moment. Practice ‘mindfulness’. By noticing the details of your surroundings, for example, when you are walking to work or going about daily tasks, you bring your awareness into present time, giving yourself a break from thoughts about the past or future. This has a relaxing effect on the mind and therefore the body.
6. Adopt the attitude of gratitude. Noticing and being grateful for the tiniest little things as you go about your day, will help you focus on the positives in your life, and what you DO have, rather than on what you do not. Being grateful for the food on your plate, the warmth of your bed, for example… we have so many things to be grateful for!
7. Give your time and skills. Is there something you are good at that you would enjoy sharing with others; giving a few hours of your time for free? Who or what might be able to benefit from your knowledge or attention?
8. Make dreams reality. What’s the difference between a dream and a goal? A DATE. Make manageable goals within realistic timescales, and work towards them in small steps.
9. Do it now! Take action. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the Present." (Elenor Roosevelt) Getting started with one small step now, will give you the momentum to keep going.
If you practice just 2 or 3 of the above, you may find they make a big difference…
…wishing you a great start to 2010!
Tabitha