10 Small Changes To Make For The New Year

Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions? If you have trouble sticking with your goals every year, it can be helpful to try starting small. Consider one of these 10 small things you can change for the new year to help make your life a little easier.

1. Write down one thing you are excited about for tomorrow just before you go to bed. This will help you be excited to get out of bed each morning and tackle the day.

2. Get a light therapy alarm clock. It will wake you up more gently than a loud sound, and you will start your day more peacefully. Click this link for a roundup of the best light therapy clocks.

3. Choose a subject you want to learn more about and start listening to a podcast or audiobook on the subject. Replacing music with learning while you drive or run can be a great way to advance quickly in a subject.

4. Go shopping and batch cook or meal prep on Sunday so your food is planned and prepared for the week. You’ll save time, and usually eat healthier meals this way because when you come home tired dinner’s ready to go without thinking.

5. Do one of your favorite childhood activities with a friend. This could be a board game, painting, riding bikes. It‘s fun to mix it up and bring a new activity into the friendship.

6. Instead of scrubbing dirty pots, boil them with soap and water. It’s much more efficient, and easier on your hands!

7. Work on saving for the big item you’re wishing for. Start by thinking of the thing that you don’t think you can afford, your “wish” item. Now, think of that one thing you know you should stop doing, or do less of (this could be drinking, shopping, buying junk food etc.), your “elimination” activity. Make a promise to yourself that you will stop spending on that elimination activity, and put the money toward your wish item. You could even use a piggy bank to see your savings soar.

8. Say “No” to an unnecessary obligation at least once a week. It’s ok not to attend someone’s birthday party, that open mic night, or that optional work event that will probably be a waste of time. You don’t need an excuse not to go. Guard your time and use it proactively instead of feeling obligated to give your time to things you don’t want to.

9. Contact one friend every day that you have not talked to in a while and share something meaningful with them.

10. Take the stairs. When you have a choice of elevator, escalator or stairs, choose the stairs. We have to make this conscious choice because it is usually easier to find the elevator and the escalator. The stairs might be a bit out of the way, but it will help add some exercise to your day with very little time lost.

Which of these changes most excites you? Please let me know, or tell me what other goals you can think of for the new year! Remember what Abe Lincoln was reported as saying: “Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be!” Let’s make it a prosperous and happy New Year!!