How To Make 2023 Your Best Year

Here's how you can translate your goals into action and stay true to your commitments this year

We are more than seven months down 2023, and you are already falling short of the commitments you had made to yourself at the beginning of this year. You are struggling to stick to those goals you set for yourself – of shedding a few kilos or gaining them to get in shape, or actualising your financial plans, or striking a good work-life balance, or becoming a better version of yourself. Whatever the reason is, you lack the motivation to stay committed or do not know where to start from or are simply distracted in your everyday life.

When pondering over the reasons for failure to stick to your goals or resolutions at an early stage, lack of conviction and/or capability seem to be the most obvious answers. A deeper introspection, however, makes one realise that, more than anything, it is the dearth of proper guidance that forces one to foil their resolutions.

What is the best way to translate your resolutions into action? Perhaps, these apparent yet easy-to-overlook tips might just be the answer to many of your woes.

lean is in

Lean management is a methodology that focuses on creating value through optimisation of resources and minimising wastage. One cannot emphasise enough how relevant lean practices are to today's world that is plagued with challenges such as increasing population and pollution, and dwindling resources. While lean is mainly associated with business, especially, the production sector, there's nothing stopping us from implementing it in our personal lives. After all, lean management helps one contribute to the sustainability factor.

So, from this year onwards,

• Do not eat more than you need. It will help you lead a healthy life.
• Avoid giving into that craving for binge-shopping. You are not gaining anything by falling prey to the fashion compulsions of today's social media-centric world
• Start repurposing old and worn-out household items. Learn to put your old clothes, furniture, etc., to good use instead of discarding them.

The paradox 'less is more' is based on the value of simplicity, and putting it into practice is a good way to reduce health issues, stress, financial burden, and gain peace of mind.

the will to upskill

We are not referring to indulging in a hobby such as collecting curio or gardening or learning karate. Today, we are living in what is being called a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) world in which the fear of economic instability and financial uncertainty rules the day. Learning a new skill related to your profession or even something altogether different will increase your confidence and put your inner fears to rest. It will also diversify your portfolio, thereby improving your chances of experimenting with a new business idea.

Upskilling gives you the immeasurable satisfaction of attaining new knowledge, makes you more flexible and adaptable, and keeps you relevant in the changing business landscape. So, think of how you can upskill in today's competitive world.

a sunshine state of body (and soul)

The travails of an urban life-working round the clock, attending endless meetings, inconsistent meal hours, etc.-render health as an often-neglected area. But the alarming rise in the number cases of lifestyle-related diseases necessitates prioritising health over everything else. While the usual diet and exercise plans are advised by all, we also suggest soaking in some morning sunshine. Exposing your body to sunlight enhances the production of serotonin-a chemical that plays a key role in mood, sleep, digestion, healing, and other bodily functions. This is how it helps:

• Serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, which plays a key function in the regulation of sleep. So, ironic as it may sound, the key to good sleep at night is literally letting in sunshine in the morning.
• It goes without saying that good sleep leads to improved brain performance and health. And, on the other hand, not getting enough sleep can lead to a number of brain and heart illnesses.

be the master of your mind

"With today's high-frequency trading, millions of dollars can change hands in a millisecond. That is one-tenth the time it takes to blink. As the speed of business approaches the speed of light, one second is the difference between performance and high performance. In short, one second is the difference between achieving desired results and ruining it all. And it is all in the mind," says Rasmus Hougaard, noted Author, Founder and Managing Director of Potential Project.

The mind is the birthplace of ideas, choices, decisions and actions-whether good or bad. And all of it is in our control! All we need to do is practise mindfulness-the act of being fully present and aware of where we are and what we're doing, and not be overwhelmed by what's going on around us.

On most instances, the mind keeps wandering-sometimes thinking about the past, at other times planning for the future. Mindfulness helps the mind stay in the present moment and not drift away. It involves training ourselves to gain high levels of attention, focus and clarity of mind. While it may seem excruciating at first, over time, it is bound to become effortless, thereby fulfilling your commitment of reconnecting with yourself.