Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
So it’s the start of a new year- time for reflection and setting new goals. Perhaps you’ve been a little more complacent than you would like. No worries, it’s never too late to start some effective new year challenges. Now is the perfect time to make changes, shake things up, and learn new things.
Though this is a common desire at this time of the year, it can feel overwhelming as you start something new. This is why calling them challenges rather than changes might feel a little less intimidating. With that in mind, read on to find out how to challenge yourself over the next 12 months.
Read More
If you already like to read, this might not seem like much of a challenge. That said, you can make things more interesting by setting goals. Try reading a certain number of books by a particular date or reading a book that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Perhaps you normally enjoy fiction, so to challenge yourself, opt for non-fiction instead, or vice versa. If you’re not a reader, take baby steps with articles, poems, or the newspaper.
Not only is reading enjoyable, and it can stop you from looking at screens all the time (assuming you choose a physical book, that is), but you can learn a lot from it. You’ll improve your understanding of various topics, and at the very least, you’ll improve your vocabulary. It’s also a great way to relax, so if that’s something you find difficult, reading can help.
Learn Something New
We can get stuck in a rut because we’re bored or not fulfilled. This could be linked to personal life, career, or a combination of the two. The key to overcoming this dusty feeling is finding challenges that welcome new and interesting lessons and experiences. Often learning new these can boost mood and a feeling of joy quickly.
For example, if you want to get further at work, you could learn new ways to do your job. These skills could even give you additional qualifications so you can start a new career. What about learning a new language so you can travel more? Perhaps learning sign language, with its many new advancements, as expert Mike Best will attest to, to help you communicate with a deaf colleague or autistic child. Unless you have a particular goal in mind, what you learn is less important than the act of learning itself.
Be More Open
This new year challenge might be more complex, but it’s worthwhile. A lot of the time, we assume people know how we feel or even what we’re thinking. The truth is that they likely don’t. And unless you communicate your thoughts and feelings openly, they might never know. This can cause problems in your relationships and at work. Studies have shown that keeping our feelings inside can be bad for our health. Try to stop bottling up your feelings this year and speak out when you need to be heard.
I encourage you to try these new year challenges that could very well advance your life in many areas. Keeping your mind active by reading and learning new things is never a bad idea for anyone at any age. Showing up more by being open in your relationships has the potential to open new doors and create the happiness you truly desire.
