Happy New Year
What does ‘Happy New Year’ mean to you? For me it means that hopefully 2012 is a happy year. And ‘happy’ means what? It means different things to different people and that may be one of the things that you want to define for yourself. For me it means that I get to continue getting better at being me and all the things that encompass me: that I have good health, that everyone around me has good health, that I have good relationships, that I treat people with kindness, that as a professional I continue to help people, that I have some fun and that I continue to work on those things that need improvement in 2012!
Looking back over 2011
I think it is a good time to go back through 2011 and think about the positive things that came out of this past year and what things you want to work on or work more on in 2012. It shouldn’t be a time of should have’s because you can’t go back and change it. You can however do some things better in 2012. It is a good time to reflect. Because this is typically a time of reflection for people this is why people set forth new year resolutions.
New Years resolutions are designed for failure
People generally take everything they can think of that made them unhappy the previous year and resolute that all of those things are going to be different in the new year. You can however set yourself up for success!
Instead of having goals once a year try having goals year around. This way you feel like you are always working toward something and aren’t overwhelmed at the notion of big, huge goals once a year.
In setting those goals is great to have long term goals that might take you a year to reach but set short term, small, realistic goals throughout the year toward reaching your long term goals. As you reach your short term goals you build confidence and self esteem. This motivation will help you strive toward reaching your long term goal.
Remember it’s ok to have long term goals but have short term goals that help you get there. Don’t forget to make all your goals realistic and be flexible if you need to change them.
If what you’ve been doing to approach the start of other years has worked, great. If not, see if you can make one small change in how you approach 2012.
I wish all you your definition of happy as we approach 2012! There are so many things to look forward to; so many possibilities and sometimes it’s how you perceive what’s happening.
Dr. Michelle
Photo credit: offrench.net
