Saying yes to change is an important step toward greater mental well-being. Change can nurture personal growth, preparing us to take on exciting challenges and opportunities. The key to maximizing the benefits of these changes is intentional self care that allows us to build our physical, mental, and emotional resilience. Develop a plan for 2023, set meaningful (and realistic) goals, track your progress throughout the year, and celebrate small successes along the way. Taking control of our future in this way shapes our lives for the better, providing plenty of reward and satisfaction.
Leave your comfort zone
The question “What’s next?” can be applied to many different life situations. Life can seem uncertain when all we want is comfort. Instead of fearing the unknown, we should embrace our future as motivation to control what is within our power. Some adults may be struggling to keep up or become stuck in the past, afraid of leaving the comfort zone of what they know. A new beginning can only unfold when something else ends.
Be open to life’s twists and turns
It is never too late to try new things and seek out new adventures — no matter what stage of life one is in. A shift in mindset from looking back at past successes or failures to seeing where life can turn next might just be the start of a journey into unknown territories with hope for greater joys.
Make adjustments for the future
Making adjustments for the future while reflecting on the past to improve performance is a valuable skill relevant in all aspects of life. This can be especially useful when making tough decisions and evaluating progress. It’s important to remember that everything in life is intertwined and interconnected. Having a progressive and forward-looking perspective is invaluable. Inspirational people around you can foster an optimistic outlook, which encourages being practical while looking ahead. This attitude can create a sense of hope and empower positive change, both present and future.
Shape the coming months
The beginning of a new year, especially after surviving the successes and challenges of 2022, brings both anticipation and anxiety. Although we don’t know what 2023 will bring, we can shape the coming months by taking steps now to ensure our future is filled with joy and progress. One way to start is by asking yourself, “Now that I have made it to 2023, what’s next?”
To make the most out of this year and set yourself up for success:
- Prioritize self-care
- Formulate a 12-month plan for personal and professional goals
- Seek support from those around you who want you to succeed
- Remain focused on your commitments throughout the year
- Assess your goals regularly to measure progress against them
- Reward yourself for small wins along the way
With this approach, your journey into 2023 will be one full of promise and pleasure — no expectations necessary.
Take care of yourself
Taking care of yourself is essential to living a fulfilled and enriched life. It’s important to prioritize self-care and draw up a plan that fits with your lifestyle in order to put yourself first. Enhancing your mental well-being, eating a healthy diet, exercising, maintaining good friendships, getting enough rest, and holding no grudges are all key ways to invest time into your personal health and well-being.
Focus on simple tasks
Remember that the choices you make on a daily basis are reflected in the life you live. Make sure that you’re making decisions that are going to have positive impacts on you both physically and mentally. Putting yourself first doesn’t come easy but with enough determination and dedication, it can be done. Try to focus on simple tasks at first and work your way up from there so you don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged.
Have a 12-month plan
Having a 12-month plan is important in helping you attain your goals, whatever they may be. Purpose is what will drive you to see your plan through and help make sure you don’t slip up or forget your goals. For instance, every day you might have to wake up, commute to work (or log onto a virtual work site), and show up for your job on schedule — and you don’t skip it because doing so could cost you that job. Chart out your 2023 life in four-week increments.
Stay consistent
Staying consistent can save time, energy and resources in the long run. With this sort of mindset, and by involving other people in your goals and being accountable together, you’ll certainly increase your chances of success. Start planning what you can do on a daily basis to ensure that not only do you commit to the task at hand but you actually finish it as well.
Get support
Forming an effective support group has a number of benefits. Having peers to help encourage you and offer advice can be quite valuable in reaching your goals for the new year. Many clubs or teams form around different interests and goals, such as fitness clubs promoting better diet and exercise, and are excellent sources of support from people with similar interests. It is important to find the right support group that suits your needs.
Prioritize tasks
With the multitude of distractions, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain focus and prioritize tasks. By being aware of these distractions and having a plan, interruptions can be combated. Self-care should never be expendable and such activities should remain a priority. Take that walk to clear your head or listen to your favorite podcast as you cook or clean. Tasks that don’t support your 2023 goals can be classified as expendable. Check in with your goals at set intervals to stay on track. Periodic assessments will help you identify and block out any distractions. Staying focused is key.
Measure success differently
Progress is the key to success and there are many ways to measure the success of a plan. Taking a look at our activities and decisions from the past allows us to understand our overall focus. Whatever we have been doing or are currently doing can provide insights into which areas we have devoted our attention to.
Evaluating a 12-month plan halfway through the year gives valuable insight into which areas require more focus for the remaining six months. Monitoring progress is important not just for evaluating success but also for generating motivation to keep going.
Celebrate small wins
Celebrating small wins is an important part of achieving long-term success. Not only can it feel great to recognize a job well done, but it also serves as an encouragement to keep going toward your ultimate goal. If you feel capable and confident about the little tasks that come along, the larger ones become easier. To get started on your journey, break down each month into days and prioritize your goals for each day. Share your successes with a close accountability partner, as this will not only help keep you motivated but may also provide additional useful feedback or ideas to help you along the way.
Asking the question “What’s next?” can lead to big wins in the new year with a positive attitude and strategies to begin 2023. Taking good care of your mental and physical health is the foundation to establishing a 12-month plan that is focused on achievable goals. Monitoring progress throughout the year will give you a better outlook on what works for you and make sure you stay on course.
With the ambitious plans we set for ourselves year after year, it can be easy to lose sight of celebrating each milestone along the way. Having something to look forward to or take pride in — even if it’s just a small step — will keep you going on your journey and allow you to tackle larger ambitions head-on. This upcoming year can bring limitless possibilities. Make sure you recognize them instead — say yes to 2023 and make this next step the catalyst for your success.
