Adiós 2019, Hola 2020!
A new year calls for a fresh start, but that’s easier said than done. Sticking to new year resolutions and goals isn’t easy, which is why we’ve created a simple list of lifestyle changes that are totally doable. Follow these 7 new year resolutions to take 2020 by storm!
1. Start Small
Give yourself short-term goals and build up to them by introducing micro-routines in your daily life. Taking small steps at regular intervals will help you stay focused and stay on the right path. Otherwise, you open yourself up to being overwhelmed and risk burning out.
For example, When you’re working on a big project it is better to break it down into bite-sized tasks and set far more specific milestones. This will keep you motivated and moving in the right direction.
2. Create a Morning Routine
You might have heard it before but let’s be real, time and again it has been proven how powerful a morning routine is. Having a good morning routine can make all the difference in being more productive at work or lectures, accomplishing goals, feeling organized, and doing all of this with confidence.
Get enough shut-eye by sticking to a regular sleep cycle. It not only makes you more lively and energised but also improves concentration and reduces stress. Incorporate a morning workout session followed by a heavy breakfast so you’re ready to take on the world! Gratitude journaling before you start the day can be very helpful as well.
3. Declutter
Your productivity will take a hit if you’re living in a messy space. Organise your room and/or workspace in such a way so that you never have to rummage for the essentials. Remove items and peripherals that are unnecessary from your immediate environment and you will start to notice that you can still get your work done with less.
This doesn’t mean that you have to throw away everything, but you do need to be mindful of the things you use every day. Decluttering and removing the excess from your home or workspace will have a really positive impact on your life, health, and well-being.
4. Detox Your Social Media
If you’re like us, you probably spend countless hours glued to your phone hopping from one app to another as soon as you grab your phone. Turning off notifications from apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others, while keeping it on only for essential apps will reduce the need of checking your phone every millisecond. These constant notifications are quite distracting and damaging to our mental health at the worst!
Keeping a tab on your social media usage by switching off your phone when you study, read, hang out with friends or relax at home. This will exponentially boost your efficiency and will help you focus and engage, both of which are essential skills for success in studies.
5. Don’t Wait for Inspiration
English poet Edward Young once said – “Procrastination is the thief of time”. You can’t procrastinate your way out of important things that need to be done. The key is to not rely on those fleeting moments of inspiration and to just begin with tasks at hand.
Follow the rule ‘if it can be done in less than 5 minutes, do it now’ and you will notice the difference soon in your life.
6. Learn Something new
Learning must go on in life as it enhances the quality of life and offers you an escape when you need it, knowledge when you seek it, and a great pastime. When we learn something new, we feel better and more confident in ourselves. Nowadays it has become quite easy to know about various things and you can learn new things each day through various platforms like podcasts, PlayerFM, and more.
These are a great source of useful information and very productive use of your time. You can ask for recommendations from your professors if you want to expand your expertise in your area of study.
7. Get more Involved Outside of Lectures
It is good to focus on studies and get good grades in your exams but it is also advised to get involved in activities outside of lecture halls. These activities will help you create a community away from home and can change your entire university experience.
You will get to learn to manage time, organizational skills and improved self-confidence. Additionally, all these extracurricular activities will look astounding on your resume after you graduate and will give you an edge over others.
We’re not gonna lie, following through with these 7 new year resolutions won’t be a cakewalk. You won’t see results overnight, so it’s important to keep at it. Good luck!
