I know lists to start your year could be seen as clichéd, but I enjoy writing them and, from previous years, it looks like you enjoy reading them. Here we go:
1 Mend Something. Repairing rather than replacing is rewarding and makes you appreciate what you have. This applies to items and relationships.
2 Read More. How many books are you planning to read? Go on, add a few more. You’ll be amazed at how many you can fit it when you make it a must. TIP Listen to audiobooks on x1.3.
3 Embrace Silence. In a world of noise and interruption schedule some quiet time.
4 17% Less. The 17% more or less principal starts with eliminating 17% of what you don’t need. Food, TV, alcohol, social media, etc
5 Give 17% More on the right things is better than 100% on the wrong things.
6 Taste Something you don’t think you like. If you still don’t like it, fine. But taste changes and who knows, now you may love it.
7 Use Your Best – crockery, jeans, glassware, perfume. Do you still keep stuff for best? The best is now.
8 Morris a Space. William Morris suggested you should only have items in your home that you know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. Rather than do your whole home, start with a room or a space. Morris it and see what you think.
9 Check In With an Old Friend. My heart lifts when old mates get in touch. Who pops to mind? Let them know you’re thinking about them. The gap is never too long.
10 Become Comfortable With No. Learning how to say no (nicely) is one of the greatest tools you can have in your self-preservation armoury.
11 Scare Yourself. You can be more, do more and achieve more than you think, but it normally starts with getting out of your comfort zone and being scared silly.
12 Join a Positive Community. It’s easy to get sucked into negativity because it’s easier to be negative than positive. Who you surround yourself with will have a massive impact. Choose wisely. Here’s a brilliant one.
13 Ask Better Questions. The ability to ask better questions is a skill to nurture and develop. One of my favourite questions is, ‘If I did know, what would the answer be?’
14 Be Clear – assuming someone understands what you ‘meant’, rather than being clear leads to misconception and confusion.
15 Do Something Completely Different. My friend Cheryl suggests that every 7 years you should change either your home, your job or your partner. Wow! A new hobby could be a little less extreme and achieve the same results.
16 Outpace Procrastination. It’s difficult to procrastinate when you have momentum. You get momentum by building pace. You build pace by starting with intent. Today.
17 Forgive. Forgiveness changes the past. Holding mental grudges is like you taking the poison and expecting someone else to die.
18 Give Compliments. A ‘like’ button is easy but a comment is 100x better. A nod is nice but a thank you and the why is better. WhatsApp thanks are considerate, handwritten thank you notes are remembered.
19 Forget Your Phone. Do more things that make you forget your phone = this is not to use your phone less – that’s too obvious. This is doing more things that make you forget your phone.
20 Take Your Brain To The Gym. Holding two opposing thoughts, considering other viewpoints, understanding that another’s opinion is just that give your mind a workout and allow your intellect to be challenged and your synapses be sparked. In a world where the truth is often given to you, creating your own is more important than ever.
21 Write a Book. It’s not the book you read that will change your life, it’s the book you write. Is 2022 your year? If so, let me help you. Click here and be the first to know book writing news.
22 Ask For Help. You’ll be amazed at how helpful people will be when you ask them for help and let them help you.
What would add to this list? Please leave your comments here.
Here’s to making 2022 a brill one!
