The end of the year comes with its own unique anxieties. However, you can choose not to put yourself under the undue pressure of the season. Unmet expectations frequently cause stress or outright panic, undermining everything you have accomplished in the last year. This thought pattern can make you feel unsatisfied and detached at the end of the year.
As we approach the end of the year, I take stock of everything that has transpired; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm not where I used to be. No matter how little, there has been some progress. Nobody has a perfect year all of the time.
To avoid ending the year on a negative note, we have shared simple and practical tips to help guide you towards ending the year on a high note, regardless of your current socio-economic status.
Take Inventory and Focus on The Positives
Make a list of how your year has been so far. What worked and what didn't. Reassess your goals and where you stand on each of them. Without proper evaluation, your assessment of the year will most likely be clouded by failures, leaving out incredible moments and high points.
Without proper evaluation, your assessment of the year will most likely be clouded by failures, leaving out incredible moments and high points.
Also, anxiety is born from negative thoughts. Switch off from a destructive state of mind, identify the sources of these negative thoughts, and focus on the positives; the amazing high moments; the wins; the wonderful people in your life; or something you enjoy doing, such as a hobby.
Balance Your Schedule and Stay Healthy
Resist the temptation to go on overdrive just to meet up with the losses of the year. Instead, create a balanced schedule of work and rest that creates the conditions for you to stay healthy. Make necessary adjustments to your goals and get clear on what you can change so you can get to where you want to be. Ask yourself what you need to reach your year-end goals.
Avoid procrastination and delegate as much as possible where necessary. Be priority minded. You can't do everything, but you can attempt the few that matter most.
Cultivate or maintain healthy habits. You need sound health to achieve your end-of-year goal and to pursue aspirations for the coming year. Maintaining a healthy diet and physical activity improves your chances of preventing stress and depression.
Develop A Plan for Next Year
Every new year presents you with new opportunities, and a chance to do things differently. A new chapter to begin writing a new script. Take what you've learned from this year and turn your disappointments into action items for the coming year.
Create a plan that is actionable and realistic. You may be flexible with the plan, but it is better to create a road map that you can aim for and hope for the best.
While you are thinking of next year, have a long-term plan that is beyond next year. Long-term planning will always trump the short term. How are you planning for the future beyond next year? Have you started allocating a portion of your income towards securing your retirement? To save for retirement, open a Retirement Savings Account (RSA), and have 10% of your income go into your RSA. Your RSA is money set aside from each paycheck and deposited with a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) for a financially stable life in retirement. For more information on RSAs, contact Oak Pensions via www.oakpensions.com, info@oakpensions.com or call the Marketing Manager on 09087448661.
Take what you've learned from this year and turn your disappointments into action items for the coming year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ernest Ademola Ehigie is a Copywriter, Content Developer, Author, Brand Consultant, and Communications Manager with over 5 years in marketing communications. He has written several articles, policy documents, press releases, radio and TV adverts for businesses and organizations. He's the author of the book, "Why You Must Lead" and currently works as a content manager for Detail and Avedia, a leading retail and media consulting firm.
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