It is that time of the year again. The time to not just eat, drink and be merry, but also to make New Year’s resolutions. This act of declaration is a promise we make to ourselves to not repeat certain mistakes we made in the past year. Whether we uphold these or not is beside the point; what matters is that we vow to better ourselves in the coming year. Below is a list of the top five New Year’s resolutions that everyone should make:
Accept it. Life is full of troubles and issues and is never going to be perfect the way you want it to be. You can choose to whine about what you don’t have or just be happy no matter what. Happiness is a daily decision and it is up to you to make that decision. Be in control of your emotions, learn to ignore things that upset you, look past people who annoy you, and wake up every morning telling yourself that you will make a conscious effort to be a more happy and grateful person today.
“Make peace with your past so it won't destroy your present.” ― Paulo Coelho Look at 2013 as an opportunity to set things right and make peace with your past. Apologize for your errors, forgive yourself, and move on. This process of reconciliation will free you to find the opportunities for growth embedded in every situation – opportunities that are often missed when we are lost in fear and repression.
Getting in shape is not about being a size zero or having six-pack abs; it is about being healthy and strong and building your immune system. And yes, good health and a good work-life balance lead to better productivity. A recent poll conducted by Bayt.com reveals that professionals in the MENA region are keen on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In fact, 26.9% of polled professionals believe that their poor work-life balance has jeopardized both their mental health and happiness, and a staggering 64.8% of them would even accept a pay cut to have more free time on their job. To sustain peak performance over the long term and avoid stress and burnout, you need to eat well, sleep well, and try to squeeze some exercise into your routine on a regular basis. ‘HEALTHY LIVING’ should be the keyword for 2014.
Despite all your personal and professional responsibilities, make sure to remove time for yourself and pursue a hobby; be it gardening, cooking, yoga, or playing the guitar. Embrace your inner talent and give voice to your true self. You will find that taking up a regular hobby can be quite liberating and can lower your stress levels.
No job is totally secure and in today’s job market it makes a lot of sense not to be reckless with your spending habits, as your savings may well be your life jacket when you’re in between jobs. So whatever your income level, always aim to put a fraction away for a rainy day. According to a Bayt.com survey, 36% of MENA professionals did not save any percentage of their monthly income in 2013. Moreover, 79% of polled MENA professionals are in consensus that the cost of living will further increase in 2014, suggesting acquiring some level of saving habits may not be a bad idea after all.
