Here we are almost at the end of 2020 having got through, for the majority of us, one of the most challenging years yet!
Usually at this time of year we start to think about New Years resolutions and what we are hoping to achieve for the 12 months ahead but I thought I would give you some food for thought and instead give you 6 tasks to try to achieve by the end of the year, so here they are;
1 Be thankful – You may be rolling your eyes right now but it is a proven fact that if you focus on what you can control rather than what you can’t you will be much happier. Try to think every morning or every evening at least 5 things that you are grateful for from that day. It could be that you are grateful for your family, your eyes to enable you to see, the sunshine, trees, your colleague for helping you, your boss for acknowledging the hard work you have done or a phone call that you weren’t expecting that has given you hope or comfort. It is personal to you but set yourself the goal to do it every day either in your head or written down in a journal and see how it starts to make you feel.
2 Try new experiences – If this year has taught us anything it is that life is too short to not “live” your life. If you have sat there on a Sunday thinking about all the things you would like to do then now is the time to start putting it into action. We may not be able to do the crazy experiences at the moment like travelling or jumping out of a plane but we can certainly set wheels into motion. Starting a course or training programme online to learn new skills, starting to go running every day to get healthier, photography, doing more work in the community, pre planning or saving for a big experience so that you have the goal set, taking on a new hobby the list is endless but make that list and start ticking them off. Don’t see this situation as a wall see it as a door to open new opportunities.
3 Give something – The best gift that anyone can give is their time, why not try to give some of yours! That could be to a family member, a stranger or a work colleague. Perhaps your child has been asking to do something with you for a long time but every day life has gotten in the way, an elderly relative hasn’t seen you for a long time so perhaps take some time to pick up the phone away from distractions and just catch up, a work colleague has been struggling so maybe take some time out of your day to help them. If time really is an issue then why not donate some things to someone in need, buy a few tins to put in the food bank at the local supermarket, do something without expecting something back in return or even acknowledgement. Pay it forward!
4 Rest – A lot of people may be saying “rest!! We have been off work for months” but be mindful of the industries that haven’t been off, the parents who have had to carry on working whilst also juggling home schooling, the people who have suffered loss or anxiety, the teachers that have been back at work and having to manage the adjustments made, all the essential workers that have been AMAZING and many more, it is so important to concentrate on you and taking time to rest and recoup without feeling guilty, we can’t pour from an empty cup.
5 Aim – Aim for a goal and tell others what their purpose is in you reaching that. If you are looking for a promotion or a new job, you want to aim for that new experience you set in task two, whatever it is speak to those around you about the support you may need from them to help you enable you reaching that. Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into a visible, write them down, say them out loud, believe every day that you can achieve it and work hard to make it a reality.
6 Smile – The mere act of smiling reduces blood pressure, lowers stress hormones, and boosts your mood; a British study even found that one smile generates the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 bars of chocolate, think of all the weight you could lose! ;0) Smile whenever you can, appreciate humour, get your colleague and friends involved in fun activities even if it is a simple quiz night via zoom. Smile to change the world, don’t let the world change your smile!
Compass Point Recruitment would like to wish you all a very healthy and happy New Year. We are incredibly grateful to everyone that has been part of our business this year and will continue to be here for you all in 2021. Keep us posted on how you get on with your tasks!