For many, the new year signals a time of reflection. Additionally, it’s normal to consider what changes you want to make in your life or how you’d like to improve. In a way, you are thinking about who you’re going to be in the next year and attempting to make a plan that allows you to get there. If you want to empower yourself to have the career and life of your dreams, here’s what you need to do. 

<h2>Take Stock </h2>

First and foremost, you can’t pursue your dreams if you don’t understand both where you are right now and what you want for the future. Without those two points, you can’t draw a line between them to see what actions need to be taken to make progress. 

Take a moment to reflect on where you are at this moment. Consider what parts of your life are working and which areas you’d like to see improved or changed. This can include anything from your career to your health to your personal life. Examine everything with a holistic mindset. 

<h2>Figure Out What Would Make You Happy </h2>

Once you’ve paused to take stock of your life, it’s time to get a bit imaginative. Picture what does or would make you happy. Think not only about your career, but also about your personal life, relationships, and every other factor of your existence. Your focus should be on areas where adjustments could make you feel whole and satisfied, and not on living up to the expectations of others or how they define you. 

As you identify changes that you would like to make, resist the urge to doubt that it’s possible. It isn’t uncommon for a sense of negativity to creep in, particularly if our goals seem far away from where we are today. However, almost nothing is genuinely impossible, so don’t let negative self-talk interfere. 

Additionally, try to be specific. One reason many New Year’s resolutions fail is that they are too ambiguous. For example, wanting to lose weight is an ill-defined goal. It doesn’t have an endpoint, so you can’t really monitor your progress. In contrast, wanting to lose 20 pounds is well-defined, making it easier to track the results of your efforts and giving the goal a clear end. 

<h2>Pick Something Small as a Starting Point </h2>

After you’ve determined a few changes that could improve your level of happiness, find a way to start moving toward one of them. Look for something small and simple to implement. 

For example, if you want to lose 20 pounds, you might start by drinking water instead of soda. It’s a fairly small and easy change, and could also set you up for a relatively quick win. 

The idea of starting small is to show you that change is possible. Once you experience your ability to move in a different direction, the rest of the adjustments won’t seem as impossible as they did previously. 

<h2>Keep Moving Forward, Bit by Bit </h2>

It’s important to remember that slow progress is still progress. Most change can’t happen overnight, so don’t expect things to happen immediately or equate minimal change with failure. Instead, embrace the journey. Keep making small changes bit by bit and remain focused. That way, you can become the person you want to be and achieve your goals. 

If a new job is what you want this year, the team at CPS Recruitment can help. Contact us to discuss your goals with one of our recruiters today and see how our services can benefit you.