2016 New Beginnings, Fresh Starts

Gangway for 2016. Have you written any goals you’d like to accomplish for the new year? If you do, try not to overwhelm yourself to the point where you achieve nothing. Perhaps write down a list, then cut the list further to the three most important goals.

The three goals I’ve listed for myself is to lose weight for my son’s wedding in May, edit the novel I started in November, exercise with Yoga, at least, three times a week.

I searched on the internet and found three of the most popular goals for 2015 – Make more money, lose weight and live by the Golden rule.

Please note the following came from the internet post “International Business Times.”

According to Health.com “January 1, one in three Americans will vow to make changes that better their lives. Most, however, will collapse long before reaching the finish line. About 75 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions are on target a week later, but that

figure drops to less than 50 percent by July.

That doesn’t mean people should abandon New Year’s resolutions before they even have the chance to come to light. It’s time to buckle down. In the words of the venerated Oprah Winfrey, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

Here are 15 habits and behaviors to adopt in 2016 to make this year better than the last.

1. Become a better time manager. Time is an invaluable asset. Spend it wisely. Learning where to expend energy, and where not to, has innumerable benefits, including less stress, more free time, fewer mistakes and improved production.

2. Manage your debt. The peace of mind that comes with taking control of debt can do wonders for overall health. The first step to getting on track financially is to get organized. Make a list of all debts, including minimum monthly payments and due dates. Create a bill payment calendar to remind you which payments are due when.

3. Go back to school. Furthering your education can be an excellent way to grow intellectually, find a new career path, or discover a sense of purpose.

4. Make an effort with co-workers. We spend countless hours with the people we work with, but few of us take the time to get to know our colleagues. Building friendships in the workplace can relieve stress or tension in the office, according to the San Francisco Gate.

5. Be more mindful. Downtime can make many people uneasy – all those errands aren’t going to run themselves! – but getting off the hamster wheel now and then is a must.

6. Be a better listener. Cultivating strong professional and social relationships, as well as improving memory, are just some of the advantages of being a good listener. Eye contact and positive body language can go a long way in a conversation. Listening will help you better show support for others, resolve problems and build rapport.

7. Quit smoking. Smoking cigarettes are the leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. Each year, more than 480,000 deaths – about one in five – are linked to smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

8. Log in some volunteer hours. Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in someone else’s life, build self-confidence, develop new skills, foster friendships and cultivate a sense of purpose. Find something you enjoy doing, and commit a few hours a week or a month to giving back.

9. Holding grudges can be toxic. It’s time to exorcise the old demons that foster ill will toward others. The first step toward mending a broken relationship is to own up to a mistake. Mending past wrongs can be emotionally taxing. Don’t try to rush the process.

10. Eat better. Reducing the risk of heart disease, boosting energy, fighting disease and improving mood are just a few of the many benefits of having a healthy diet. Make a point to pack your lunch for work.

11. Try new foods. The adage that variety is the spice of life holds true.

12. Get enough sleep. The average adult needs between seven and eight hours of sleep at night.

13. Make time for exercise. Just 20 minutes a day of moderate physical activity can boost energy, improve mood and keep dangerous heath conditions like high blood pressure at bay. Take a dance class, even if you have two left feet, go hiking or join a local sports team to get the blood flowing.

14. Take a trip. The benefits of taking a vacation can contribute to a positive attitude.

15. Be kind to yourself. Above all else, remember that it’s okay to make a mistake along the way. Self-love can go a long way toward a healthier lifestyle.

Whether you strive for goal setting or modifying a habit, let 2016 be about you. You deserve it.

Happy New Year!