The first working day of the year feels like any other day (if you exclude the bonhomie of colleagues in the office wishing each other ‘Happy New Year’). It is also a day to reflect on the year gone by, and to think about the things one wants to do this year. I do not believe in New Year resolutions as I can never keep them! But I do set 5 – 7 goals and make sure that I complete at least 3 during the year — carrying over the rest to the next year! That way I manage to feel a sense of achievement and contentment at the end of the year. So here’s my list:
- Write a book or do a series of video tutorials. I want to share my career experiences and guide those who feel trapped in a box.
- Read one book every month.
- Do more skills-based courses online. (Coursera, Udemy etc)
- Get down to doing an executive management course from a reputed B-school.
- More ‘Me’ time. Doing the things I love or just meditating.
- Spend more time with my daughter, who is now moving from childhood to her teens.
- Give to the poor and needy.
I also make a list of things to avoid or do less of during the year. It’s my “Things to avoid” list:
- Remain focused on one task. Avoid multi-tasking.
- Refrain from making conversations about meaningless things that do not have any outcomes. Avoid people who make useless conversations (with a hidden agenda).
- Learn to say NO! I do not need to oblige everyone.
- Learn to say YES! To the things that are positive and bring about good change.
- Spend less time on social media.
- Avoid water cooler banter and office gossip.
- Stay away from the phone. I do not need to look at every WhatsApp message and at the phone every time it rings. Exit useless WhatsApp groups.
- Do not say things impulsively and emotionally. Think and speak. Keep it concise yet clear.
- Avoid unnecessary commuting (and traffic jams). Do calls instead of meetings.
- Stop wasting money on things that I do not really need.
I hope you are thinking on similar lines now.
Wishing you all the best for 2017.