enthusiastic and professional relationship with her trainer quickly produced a more effective workout regimen. Within 3 weeks she had more energy, better focus, and was getting much more work accomplished. By spending this time and energy on her self-care, she was able to reach her goals at work and her self-image improved dramatically. Sometimes, even when you are invested in self-care, an outside coach or mentor can give you perspective on mHave you ever considered making, and keeping, a New Year’s Resolution? Many of these resolutions do not stand the test of time. Most people consider the New Year as a new start for changing old habits or for beginning projects. There are quite a few obstacles to changing old habits or starting new projects that can befall you at this time of year. If you would like to be successful in the New Year then read the suggestions in this brief article.

The stress of surviving the year end activities including the Holidays and Year End work responsibilities can negatively affect positive change. In the Northern Hemisphere, many people are impacted by Winter weather and shortened daylight. For some people who suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) the grey skies may thwart optimism, breed depression and reduced energy and enthusiasm. Other people are often distracted by their own Holiday “hangover” and may not be contributing at the highest levels. Money can be in shorter supply.

Let’s not become “victims” to this Holiday Hangover. The first thing to do is to pull your head out denial and accept that this can be a difficult and stressful time. Next, you need to find a “reasonable” activity or exercise pattern. (Over-doing any exercise will only create failure and will not sustain the long term benefits that you seek.) Getting up and moving is essential for most people and can pay off in positive, often un-expected, ways. As an example, a recent coaching client was suffering from low energy, lack of enthusiasm, and reduced productivity. After establishing a short list of essential ingredients necessary for a more healthy and productive lifestyle, my client selected one of my suggestions by getting a “personal trainer” at the gym she has a membership. The enthusiastic and professional relationship with her trainer quickly produced a more effective workout regimen. Within 3 weeks she had more energy, better focus, and was getting much more work accomplished. By spending this time and energy on her self-care, she was able to reach her goals at work and her self-image improved dramatically. Sometimes, even when you are invested in self-care, an outside coach or mentor can give you perspective on ma

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The stress of surviving the year end activities including the Holidays and Year End work responsibilities can negatively affect positive change. In the Northern Hemisphere, many people are impacted by Winter weather and shortened daylight. For some people who suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) the grey skies may thwart optimism, breed depression and reduced energy and enthusiasm. Other people are often distracted by their own Holiday “hangover” and may not be contributing at the highest levels. Money can be in shorter supply.

Let’s not become “victims” to this Holiday Hangover. The first thing to do is to pull your head out denial and accept that this can be a difficult and stressful time. Next, you need to find a “reasonable” activity or exercise pattern. (Over-doing any exercise will only create failure and will not sustain the long term benefits that you seek.) Getting up and moving is essential for most people and can pay off in positive, often un-expected, ways. As an example, a recent coaching client was suffering from low energy, lack of enthusiasm, and reduced productivity. After establishing a short list of essential ingredients necessary for a more healthy and productive lifestyle, my client selected one of my suggestions by getting a “personal trainer” at the gym she has a membership. The enthusiastic and professional relationship with her trainer quickly produced a more effective workout regimen. Within 3 weeks she had more energy, better focus, and was getting much more work accomplished. By spending this time and energy on her self-care, she was able to reach her goals at work and her self-image improved dramatically. Sometimes, even when you are invested in self-care, an outside coach or mentor can give you perspective on m

Holiday “hangover” and may not be contributing at the highest levels. Money can be in shorter supply.

Let’s not become “victims” to this Holiday Hangover. The first thing to do is to pull your head out denial and accept that this can be a difficult and stressful time. Next, you need to find a “reasonable” activity or exercise pattern. (Over-doing any exercise will only create failure and will not sustain the long term benefits that you seek.) Getting up and moving is essential for most people and can pay off in positive, often un-expected, ways. As an example, a recent coaching client was suffering from low energy, lack of enthusiasm, and reduced productivity. After establishing a short list of essential ingredients necessary for a more healthy and productive lifestyle, my client selected one of my suggestions by getting a “personal trainer” at the gym she has a membership. The enthusiastic and professional relationship with her trainer quickly produced a more effective workout regimen. Within 3 weeks she had more energy, better focus, and was getting much more work accomplished. By spending this time and energy on her self-care, she was able to reach her goals at work and her self-image improved dramatically. Sometimes, even when you are invested in self-care, an outside coach or mentor can give you perspective on m

ek.) Getting up and moving is essential for most people and can pay off in positive, often un-expected, ways. As an example, a recent coaching client was suffering from low energy, lack of enthusiasm, and reduced productivity. After establishing a short list of essential ingredients necessary for a more healthy and productive lifestyle, my client selected one of my suggestions by getting a “personal trainer” at the gym she has a membership. The enthusiastic and professional relationship with her trainer quickly produced a more effective workout regimen. Within 3 weeks she had more energy, better focus, and was getting much more work accomplished. By spending this time and energy on her self-care, she was able to reach her goals at work and her self-image improved dramatically. Sometimes, even when you are invested in self-care, an outside coach or mentor can give you perspective on m enthusiastic and professional relationship with her trainer quickly produced a more effective workout regimen. Within 3 weeks she had more energy, better focus, and was getting much more work accomplished. By spending this time and energy on her self-care, she was able to reach her goals at work and her self-image improved dramatically. Sometimes, even when you are invested in self-care, an outside coach or mentor can give you perspective on making some positive adjustments that can have a significant and positive effect.

The third ingredient to overcoming the January blahs is to check your diet. The Holidays have interfered with many good eating behaviors like getting back to eating healthy, reducing the use of caffeine and alcohol, eating at regular times, and making the adjustments to your caloric requirements will have a positive impact. Even though eating correctly can seem like a waste of time and energy, you body, mind and spirit require “proper” sustenance.

Do not neglect planning your year and giving yourself some focused directions to invest your available time, energy, and resources. Planning is not just an exercise in career or financial development. Your planning should time to consider your requirements for positive social contacts, aesthetic and spiritual satisfaction, down time for fun activities, need for intellectual challenges, and, of course, time with family. These are all high priorities that are often neglected in a healthy annual planning process.

One last thing to do after creating the perfect life plan for your year, you must establish a reward system that celebrates your accomplishments. It is the “carrot on the stick” that will help you move through the inevitable distractions that will distract you and which can impede your progress. Consider making these really good, healthy rewards. They do not have to be costly. They may be gifts of time, loving connections, spiritual pursuits, or favorite aesthetic activities. It is kind of like creating and especially great dessert that you will anticipate for working toward your goals. The trouble with this last activity, planning, is that most people will plan a 3 day weekend with greater interest and attention than