Brand new year, brand new you

It's 2011 and a new year has begun. Rather than list a set of new years resolutions that could work for you, like we did last year - I'm going to think about what I might want to do. What I might want to change and what I might be thinking about adjusting and taking into account for this year in order to move myself into a better space.  Perhaps from these thoughts you may be able to take one or two small ideas to then go away and think about how best to shape this year for you...

1. Health

To me, health is of the utmost importance, however it is ever so easy to forget about it and to ultimately end up neglecting your own health and wellbeing because of 'time pressures' of other commitments. This year I would like to dedicate more time to doing what I know is better for me. That eating well, sleeping well, moving well and thus feeling well!

That means that I stop working when I get tired. That I make time for exercise. That I organise my tasks to accommodate my body's needs more.  I can be more observant about when I work best and when I exercise best i.e. what times of day am I most productive at what, and how can I best utilise my energy levels.

Sometimes the tasks at hand can seem so important or urgent that I go go go and forget that actually in some cases, taking a bit of breather may actually help my brain to function better.  Making sure that I get a good night's sleep will make me more productive the next day. So as well as taking health into account - the food I eat, the amount of exercise I do - I will also be thinking about how best to spend my time.

2. Who to spend my time with

Friends have been much neglected last year I feel and my social circles may end up diminishing if I'm not careful! I have friends scattered across the globe and for it seems to be wedding season. So in terms of being a good attendee of weddings - that I am doing well, however keeping closely connected to each and every one of my friends, old colleagues and connections hasn't been at the top of my priority list but this year it should feature more highly.  As I get older, the more I realise that it's not what you know but who you know. Staying connected to those you care about and those who know you best is really important. They can help you and you can help them when you or they may most need it.  

Keeping in contact with people I like, get on with and respect also helps me stay sane! It helps me to be inspired, to keep my thinking fresh and to be able exchange thoughts, ideas and experiences.  It can lead to many opportunities and pathways that would have otherwise never have presented themselves.  So that's a key point number 2 to do.

3. Making time for hobbies

For me the key is in music making. For you it may be something else e.g. playing a sport, going to dancing lessons, fixing up your car or house, gardening, travelling - whatever it is - are you doing enough of it? My answer for 2010 is no. To ignore, not make time for or forget about your hobbies results in an imbalanced lifestyle. It feels like something is missing and I'm unfulfilled in that area of my life. That is why I feel it is important to make sure that it gets integrated into my lifestyle again.  Perhaps it'll be early mornings, the evenings after work or the weekends - but I will need to create time for it in my schedule so that I get to do that piano playing and singing in order to maintain a sense of equilibrium.

The above are all non-work focused areas of enhancement. Although I say that they are not work related, I know that they will actually impact my work.  If I get the above things straightened out and into gear - it will have a positive impact on my career as there will be a sense of balance and what I value will have been brought back into alignment alongside my work.  

In order to help your career move forwards it is important not to forget about the other elements in your life that are important to you. They are important to make time for and to do. We as humans all enjoy a variety of things to do. What you value outside of your work is just as important as your work itself.

So, those are my 3 main focus areas of enhancement. What are yours?

Author: Nisa Chitakasem