Happy New You in 2024 - Part 1: A Time to Reflect

As 2024 approaches, it is a good time to take stock of the past year.
Time flies, and whilst there is nothing we can do about that, we can find empowerment in how we use our time. You can make new goals and decisions now to do things differently to improve your personal growth, no matter what lies ahead!

Looking back allows you to fully understand what you enjoyed about the past year, and what you want to change. 
It is an essential step in moving towards building a positive mindset in 2024, by taking ownership of the things you could have done better, and consciously deciding to let them go and look ahead. 

Start 2024 with Positivity

Kick off the process with a confidence-boosting exercise!
If you find yourself at the end of this year dealing with stress and anxiety, or wanting to cultivate a more positive attitude, then start by celebrating your successes from the last year. 
That’s right, make time for a cup of coffee, cosy on down, and grab your journal and a pen. 
Start by writing down the positive points of this year. 

• What were your victories? 
  
• What did they bring you? 
  
• How did these accomplishments affect you emotionally? 
  

After revisiting these personal triumphs, turn your attention to the future. What needs, goals and dreams will define your journey in 2024? Capture them in the form of five core values that will guide your year.

Challenges

It is crucial to acknowledge that challenges are our steadfast companions in the realm of self-improvement. On a fresh page, record any difficulties you encountered this year then ponder on these questions:

• How did you respond to each of these situations?
  
• ​What strategies did you employ to overcome them?
  
• What lessons have you learned?
  
• Are you proud of how you handled things?

Confronting these issues, though daunting, is essential to the process of positive transformation. It will empower you to take responsibility for your actions and habits, and draw necessary conclusions to set yourself on the road to new things.
We view every situation in our lives through our own subjective lens, our internal processing and personal views of the world and ourselves. 
It is helpful to take a step back from challenging scenarios in our past and try to see them with objectivity so that we can truly learn the lessons and grow from them.

Pattern Identification Exercise

We all have our habits. It’s human nature, and we form them to build certainty and safety for ourselves, often unconsciously, throughout our lives. 

However, when you look back on 2023, you might notice that certain situations have repeated over months or years that are not so desirable. 

I’ll let you in on a secret - you have the power to take control and flip the script. 
Throughout our lives, we form habits as a means of ensuring predictability and safety. However, upon examining the year that has passed, you may discover that certain undesirable patterns have emerged. Here lies the revelation that you possess the power to regain control and instigate change.
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Open your journal and once more consider any patterns that have recurred:
What could you have done to disrupt or prevent these patterns?

Could better self-respect and consideration of your needs have steered a different course?

Acknowledge that every action and pattern seeks to fulfill a need - whilst all needs are valid, our attempts to meet them can inadvertently create unhealthy patterns. 
For example, overloading yourself with work to seek validation may signify a deeper need for self-approval, but results in more work stress. This insight empowers you to consciously reevaluate your strategies, prompting healthier choices that align with your wellbeing and personal growth. 

Tip: It might be easier to work backwards from your negative symptoms. For example, if you experience a lot of work stress, you would write this down and search back for clues as to what patterns might be causing it.

Get out of your comfort zone!

If you want to make the new year sparkle, try giving your life a new impetus with something you haven’t tried before. 
Write down some things that you’ve been curious to try for a while. Maybe it’s skydiving, joining a charity, starting piano lessons, or planning a new project. 
It doesn’t have to be huge, but the New Year promise of starting anew is a great time to inspire new action.
Take Action
What can you do to achieve your professional development goals, and cultivate a positive attitude? 
How can you shine, improve your mental wellbeing, and align with your goals?
By understanding that the tools for change and growth are within your grasp, you empower yourself to realise your deepest desires for the year ahead. Should you find yourself in need of more professional guidance, a Life Coach stands ready to support your journey.