We are transitioning into a new year, which feels like a fresh start. Some of us are busy pondering our 2018 accomplishments and thinking about how to make 2019 our best year, yet. How to get ready for a new start?

The first step is taking inventory of all the good things that are already in your life. What did you enjoy the most during this past year? How could you include more positive events in the upcoming year?

Unimpressed

I recently talked to a friend who shared that despite her brimming health, her steady progress toward finishing her first book, and the comfort of a loving and healthy family, she was not feeling happy.

When I asked her what was wrong she just complained about how mediocre and boring her life was compared to the accomplishments of her friends.

She would have liked a big end of the year bonus, exotic vacations, a best selling book, or an award winning movie. She even felt that the book she was writing was a complete failure. Who was she after all to write a book?

This is the problem of comparing our accomplishments with others. We tend to think that others have it better because we are not aware of their struggles or how long it took them to get there.

For instance, a stay at home mom may envy a professional  mom who is able to juggle a career and motherhood. On the other hand, the parent who works long hours wishes to stay home all day and take better care of her kids without having to worry about anything else.

There isn’t a perfect situation.  There are different problems we have to deal with depending on our circumstances.

Get ready for a new start

To make sure you are happy with your next end of the year, imagine what you would like to have accomplished throughout the next 12 months.

Make a list of your 2019 achievements.

What are the monthly, weekly, and daily benchmarks that need to be completed?

Base your decisions on your values. What is most important to you? What do you appreciate the most?

If you need help making difficult decisions here are some guidelines.

What do you love?

I love gardening, preparing the soil to plant herbs, veggies, flowers, and seeing plants grow and bloom.

Many times, while I’m pulling weeds I wonder, isn’t there anything more important for me to do? Am I waisting my time? Shouldn’t I be playing with my kids, writing my blog, keeping up with social media, planning a trip, or doing some yoga?

Then, I ask myself. How are you feeling right now? I’m feeling joyful digging, raking, and observing the plants, the soil, and the little creatures that live in the dirt.

I am not working toward an award for the most tasty strawberries, the best designed garden, or the most beautiful flower. My garden is always a work in progress.

Think about an activity that makes you feel calm and happy. Could you spend 30 minutes per day or per week just enjoying yourself?

What is important to you?

Getting ready for a new start is making sure that next year at this time you will be happy and excited for what you have accomplished during the year.

What activities bring the most joy into your life? It may be cooking, reading a book, sipping some tea, going for a walk, cuddling with your pet, or trying a new recipe.

Doing something that you love everyday will improve your health, energy, relationships, and success in everything you do.

When you wonder if you are wasting your time or if you are nurturing your soul, ask yourself how you feel about the task you are completing.

To have an awesome start of the year, make sure you spend some time every day doing something you love and makes you happy.

Make New Year Resolutions work for you.