According to the Journal of Clinical Psychology published by the University of Scranton in the USA - only 8% of people stick to and achieve their new year’s resolutions.

Nevertheless this newsletter is not about goals or resolutions it’s about doing things differently as we all embark on our journey into 2014. So...

1. TRAVEL

Travel when you have the chance. Visiting another country opens your eyes to how the rest of the world lives. We also return home with a new appreciation for our own country. Traveling increases our knowledge and widens our perspective. New experiences increase our resourcefulness and increase our ability to embrace change. Traveling creates memories for a lifetime.

2. LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE

If education of the alternative kind is not on your “to-do” list think about the benefits of learning another language. We live in a world where becoming bilingual or even trilingual can be beneficial at the office and in day-to-day life.

It can be difficult to extricate oneself
from a bad relationship or friendship
however it is much worse than staying
in it for all the wrong reasons.

4. MAKE PHYSICAL FITNESS A PRIORITY

When we are young we have great physical reserves and energy however that strength and physical capacity naturally diminishes as we age. It is fact that we can slow down our natural aging process by doing some form of regular exercise. We can measure our physical health by evaluating how we look and feel. Consistent exercise in whatever form improves our energy levels, makes us feel better and stronger both physically and mentally and builds self-confidence. Improved physical fitness increases our overall productivity

5. STOP LETTING YOURSELF BE DEFINED BY OTHERS

Define yourself, don’t let society do it for you.

6. QUIT A JOB THAT MAKES YOU UNHAPPY

A recent article in Forbes Magazine said there are key signs that should make you think of changing jobs.

	You dread going into work every day.
	The company you work for is sinking. There’s no need to go down with this ship.
	You dislike the people you work with and/or your boss/you don’t fit in with the corporate culture.
	You are stressed, negative and/or unhappy at work and this is affecting your physical health and work performance.
	Your skills are not being tapped and/or your ideas are not being heard.
	Your job duties have changed/increased however your salary remains the same.
	You are bored and stagnating. If you’re not growing or learning it may be time to leave.

7. REALIZE AND VALUE YOUR OWN SELF-WORTH

8. STOP SACRIFICING YOUR HAPINESS FOR THE SAKE OF SOMEONE ELSE

Being nice is one thing however sacrificing your happiness for the sake of someone else is not worth it. You need to travel your own journey, stand true to yourself and live your own dreams not someone else’s. Whether you want to move across the world, quit your job, pursue a different career or whatever... remember this is YOUR life and you have the right to be happy in it.

9. STOP HOLDING GRUDGES

Although easier said than done choose to let go of your pain
rather than dwelling on it. We have all at some stage been
and will continue to be hurt by the actions or words of another.
These wounds can leave us with feelings of anger,
bitterness and sadness. However the reality is that if you
don’t practice forgiveness you will probably be the one who
ultimately pays the price. Embracing forgiveness leads one
down the path of physical, emotional and spiritual well-being

10. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF

Just because others may disagree with you, it doesn’t mean you have to abandon your principles.

11. APPRECIATE THE MOMENT

We need to live in the moment and appreciate everything and everyone around us. Learn to be more present in life. We are so busy rushing to the next thing we forget the beauty of the moment – the sunset, the rainbow, the smell after a storm, the love of a child, the touch of an animal... the list is endless. Life is made up of the moments to be cherished not forgotten.

12. STOP CARING SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK:

When one gets older you realize that the opinions of others don’t factor into your true happiness. What other people think of you will never bring you happiness. To live your own life means letting go of your need to worry about what others think of you. We need to learn no matter how hard you try and no matter how “nice” you are there will always be people who will talk about you and all the things they don’t like. Remember what Churchill said: “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

I trust having read this you will take action... as it is NEVER TOO LATE!

With warmest regards