Your Year Is In Your Hands!
Are you tired of making New Year's Resolutions that fade away by February? Want to start the New Year off right, but in a different way? Trade in your resolutions for a new attitude and make this your year.
Your year can be whatever you want it to be. That doesn't mean that your dreams will be miraculously handed to you on a plate. It means that you can approach the year differently. Get away from specific prescriptions or proscriptions and move towards a new attitude. Think 'Yes I can' and 'I will try' without setting any specifics. Take it one step at a time; leave yourself open to whatever comes next.
How can you do this? It's not always easy, but it is simple.
Nurture and Love the Woman Within You
Get to know yourself. Spend time alone, in your own company. Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely. Being alone gives you time to reflect, to digest what is happening in your life and make conscious choices about what will happen next. Listen to the voice in your head. What is it saying? Give yourself some positive feedback. What have you done well lately? Who have you helped lately? What made you smile? Learn more about the woman inside you. Like her, nurture her and love her.
Choose How To Respond
The year will still have its bumpy spots. When life throws a challenge at you, tell yourself 'I am strong enough.' When faced with an obstacle, remember that you don't need to solve it all at once. Take it one step at a time. Start with a deep breath: anyone can do that, and it does clear your head. Then take another small step forward. Do that a few times and you will find yourself on your way to conquering the challenge.
On any day of the year, know that in December you will look back with pride and satisfaction on how you handled it. Rise to challenges. Reach for new goals. See what you can really do. Be inspired by positive thoughts. Get to know, love and trust yourself. You have so much talent and strength within you. Make this your year!
Dr. Marne Platt is the President of Fundamental Capabilities and the author of Living Singlish: Your Life, Your Way. Originally a practicing veterinarian, she then built a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, and later founded Fundamental Capabilities to 'pay it forward' by providing career development workshops and coaching for women. 'Living Singlish: Your Life, Your Way' is an 'older sister in your pocket' packed full of advice for young women on building their own independent and exciting life.
