About The New Year’s Wishes – Making Them Count

It is customary for us to wish each other Good Health, Wealth, Happiness and overall Prosperity, at the beginning of each year. While this habit is courteous and well-intentioned, it will remain only a wish, if the individuals for whom it is intended, do nothing to make them a reality.  So this year instead of hoping and wishing for the most fantastic year ever, I want you to be intentional, and apply all the principles necessary to make this year, hands down…… the very best!

Good Health

Let’s start by looking at the most important part of the wish – Good Health.  This is extremely necessary in order to accomplish the other aspects of the wish list, so I believe this should be given utmost attention. Start by knowing your numbers. What numbers? Your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI). Make sure you ask for these numbers when you do your annual check-up. This will provide perspective, allowing you to decide what steps to take, where managing your health is concerned. If your numbers are not so good, put the necessary plans in place to eat better and add at least thirty minutes of exercise to your daily routine. This is by no means an easy feat, but with discipline and dedication it can be achieved. I remember when my result showed that my blood pressure was elevated; immediately I started reading food labels, swapping out products with high sodium content for those with little or no sodium; I drastically reduced my sugar intake, and added the good old Quaker Oats (not the instant version) to my breakfast routine.  These changes were not easy initially, but they were necessary, and over time became habitual.

Wealth

If you are desirous of increasing your personal net worth, you should start by giving more of yourself.  This may not sit well with everyone, as many people live each day giving the bare minimum, while expecting abundance in return. Unfortunately, this expectation will end in futility, as the only place you’ll ever find success before work, is in the dictionary. Therefore, whatever you do for a living, do it well; do not cut corners; work hard at your craft; learn all you can, so you can perform at your optimum. Hard work and great work ethics will never go unnoticed. If you have a side hustle, dedicate more of your free time to it, while reducing the habits which are none income-bearing.

If you are a student, focus on your studies, and set goals to improve the grades you got last semester. If you have been putting off going to College, and finding a myriad of excuses (which may, or may not be legitimate), why school will have to wait; get started now, and take it one semester at a time – one of the greatest investments you’ll ever make, is an investment in yourself.

If you are unemployed, be more vigilant in your job search; try volunteering in the area of your specialty, or tap into your inner creativeness. Who knows, you might come up with a great business idea!

Happiness

The dictionary defines happiness as “a sense of well-being, joy, or contentment”.  This seems pretty simply to attain, right? If this is so, why are so many people in a crazy pursuit to find this seemingly elusive happiness?  (The Harris Poll conducted in 2017 revealed that 67 percent of Americans surveyed, were unhappy ). My answer is very simple, instead of looking for what more you can get/achieve to make you happy, start looking for what you can do/give to make others happy. The simplicity of my response may sound unrealistic, but believe me this theory has been tested and proven. The happiness and satisfaction derived from lending a helping hand to those around us (especially in a sacrificially manner), is immeasurable. Don’t just take my word for it, try it and watch you happiness level rise!

If you set goals to improve your health, wealth, and happiness during this year, and work consistently at them every day, then at the end of the year you would have successfully converted those lovely new year’s wishes into reality and in so doing achieved prosperity.

Make it happen this year, you can do it!

Be Inspired!

Ann