The official countdown for the New Year is here and this time of the year usually comes with some reflection on the past year. While it’s great to look back and soak in everything you have accomplished, it’s equally important to look for opportunities to better yourself so you can grow in the New Year.
Here are 15 New Year resolutions that will actually improve your life if you decide to take them on.
1. Meditate daily
Meditation has countless benefits. A daily meditation practice will allow you to keep stress levels low, reduce ruminating thoughts, increase your attention span, improve your sleep, and overall well-being.
2. Practice gratitude journaling
A gratitude practice gives entrepreneurs a competitive advantage. Not only is it proven to improve your overall mental health, but it makes you better at dealing with adversity and helps you build stronger relationships with others. Click here to learn more about the 20 benefits of gratitude journaling.
3. Learn to say no
Saying no is one of the most effective ways to set boundaries. Sticking to your boundaries in 2023 will help build your self-esteem as you stick to what you really want to do and not what others want of you. It also allows you to stay focused on your priorities.
4. Read more
Swap the time you spend scrolling through social media with time reading a book. Whether it is a business book, a memoir, self-help, or fiction, every genre has its own benefits. You can even get books from your local library to save money, or support your local bookstore.
5. Attend one networking event per month
To level up, you need to meet new people and expand your network. Commit to attending at least one networking event per month to experience some serious growth. Come this time next year, you’ll be surprised at what a difference this will have made.
6. Give out one compliment a day
When you make others feel good, you feel good. And it costs you nothing. It’s that simple. Whether it’s your barista, your coworker, or a family member — don’t be shy with the compliments in 2023.
7. Make your bed every morning
Starting the morning off by making your bed gives you a sense of accomplishment right at the start of the day. This small thing acts as a catalyst for accomplishing other tasks in the day. And isn’t is so much nicer to come home to a made bed at the end of the day?
8. Stretch daily for 10 minutes
Exercising every day is important, but the simple act of stretching is often overlooked (or even skipped). Incorporating a daily 10-minute session of stretching will help stimulate receptors in the nervous system that decrease the production of stress hormones. Try stretching in the morning while your coffee is brewing, or in the evening when you’re done with work for the day.
9. Drink 64 ounces of water daily
We know it’s a cliche, but staying adequately hydrated keeps your mind sharp so you can put out fires all day long and enter a flow state a lot more effortlessly. It also has numerous physical health benefits, like better digestion and clearer skin.
10. Do one thing you love daily
You need to keep a balance between doing things that make you feel happy and working so you can keep hustling (and not burn out). Find out which things make you feel the most alive and find a way to incorporate a few of those things in your daily life.
11. Clear out clutter
Clutter blocks creativity and limits productivity. Take 10 minutes daily to clear up the clutter in your workspace to ensure you’re performing at your utmost potential every day. The next morning will be so much smoother when you arrive at a clear desk.
12. Give back
Once you’ve achieved a certain level of success, it’s time to pay back what you can to those around you. Remember, what goes around comes back around. It might be time to figure out a way to get involved with a local non-profit — or find a good cause that you can donate to regularly.
13. Start meal-prepping
Cooking instead of eating takeout is not only better for your health but also a huge money saver. Pick a day and time every week — like Sunday evenings — when you prep your meals for the upcoming week ahead.
14. Avoid energy-suckers
Remember: you are the average of the seven people you spend the most time with. Make sure you are spending time with those who are a few steps ahead of you — and not people who are behind you and always complaining about their situation.
15. Learn to listen more
Speaking less and listening more are essential components of high emotional intelligence, which is crucial for business success. Put in the work this upcoming year to develop this skill and see how your life changes.
Ideally, you would start by picking 1-2 resolutions that are important to you and practice those consistently. It’s not about how many new habits you pick up, but how many new habits you can actually keep. Don’t overcommit, and you’ll be more likely to see it through until December 2023!