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Happy New year everyone. Wishing you lots of love and joy for 2019!!!.

I have been missing in action visiting family and loved ones.. As a result, I have started 2019 filled with lots of inner joy and love. I wish the same for everyone whom I have encountered on this blockchain and any one that is now reading this post.

Child-ish question
My children asked me why people make resolutions at this time of year. I told them that it is a tradition and as it is the beginning of a new year – it is a good time to start something new.
I think you can guess the next question, “Can resolutions be made at any time during the year?” We know the answer is yes - but it would not be the same. I explained that it is a special moment and it is typically done at the start of the year only.

Resolutions
Do you like the custom 1. itemof making resolutions? If you do not – you have company – many people do not like it. In the mode of following the trend and possibly the inebriated excitement at the start of the New Year - resolutions are made.

1. They can be numerous, unrealistic and oftentimes vague.
2. There is usually no plans about how to accomplish the resolutions.
3. The list frequently contains ‘things” that do not come naturally to us – creating a recipe for disaster.

Thereafter, failure ensues leaving one feeling more saddened than the prior year, as the resolutions made cannot be kept.

Here are the top 10 resolution in the U.S. According to Statista.

Do they look familiar?

• Usually resolutions are a list of bad habits, which took time to become that and will take time to change.
• Be clear on why you want this - make it specific and make a plan. No magic will happen unless there is a real change plan which includes commitment and perseverance.

Maybe an easier way is to create a short list with a few realistic and/or challenging goals; this might be prove less burdensome and more actionable. Does that seem like a better idea?

Self-reflection
An easy practice is Self-reflection – reflecting on the past events of our lives during the prior year. Oftentimes we find that we have accomplished more good things than we thought originally. What a nice discovery!
The not-so-good things we can learn from – as long as we do not dwell on them for too long. Remember we want to look forward to the new year, not expend too much energy on past events.

While revisiting the things we’ve done – we can decide what made us feel good and what did not. The Start Stop Continue method is a simple but effective approach which is very powerful.
Past events can be categorized as follows:

1. things that did not work – STOP them
2. things that worked well – CONTINUE them
3. things that you did not do before but are considered to be good – START them

This method not only applies to projects or businesses but any area of our lives including relationships.
For businesses – it is handy for generating ideas, solving issues, reviewing a department’s culture etc..
An example for personal relationships – if someone constantly make us feel terrible or has negative energy – the decision is clear – STOP spending time with that person.

The Start Stop Continue method is action oriented -it creates momentum and empowerment due to its simplicity. This method can become a new habit that if practiced at intervals throughout the year. This type of review can become a lifestyle for some people. Not everyone can work with a one-year resolution setting.

Don’t get me wrong – some people will make resolutions and will be able to accomplish them. However for the ones who have failed in the past – this is a proposal for a different approach. The bottom line should be - whatever will make you happier and aid in achieving the desired result for this year. However, being motivation to achieve the resolutions/goals does not always create happiness. It depends on the choice or reason for the resolutions/goals.

I am grateful that my year began joyously. For many of us while we partied we were truly present - our minds did not wander off to anywhere else - hence we could have a great time -ringing in the New Year in with merriment.

Maybe being present is a great goal for the year. With all endeavours – focus on a single task – the one at hand.

• Whether it is drinking a cup of coffee/tea with a friend or
• truly listening to a colleague or friend, or
• working on a task without distraction and being more productive.
  All done without the smartphone.

Whatever it may be – being present brings less stress and more joy. Even when things do not go as planned – if we are present - then we will remember that the source of true happiness is always there - within.

I hope everyone can take the happy, magical feeling that started 2019 and use it to inspire themselves this year.
Let’s be happy in 2019!!

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
Nina Simone