“It is not how heavy you fall. It is how fast you catch yourself. “- Michael Bassey Johnson, Night of a Thousand Thoughts
We are fast approaching the middle of the year and may or may not need a reset so we can refocus and continue or revise the trajectory for the year. There is nothing as rewarding as the opportunity to redo something and do it better.
“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” – L.M. Montgomery
Yes, it is! Once you wake up in the morning, it is an opportunity to start over.
How to Start Over
Starting over in any endeavour sounds exciting and may seem like a great adventure that helps to pump adrenaline before you get started. However, remember that it will most likely not be a comfortable journey as you may be used to doing things a certain way. You may have settled into a comfortable routine and may resist the change yourself.
These are a few suggestions to help you start over:-
1. Review the Past
Critically examine what you have been doing consistently as a matter of routine. We get comfortable in a routine and fail to assess, over the years, whether or not it is still helping to keep up with the objective of meeting our goals. It is important to review the past, take stock of what is working and take out lessons for the present and the future. Some attitudes and actions may need to be consolidated and others replaced by others.
2. Make a Plan
It helps to make a plan once a review or reflection is over. Take a good look at the lessons learned and draft a good and workable plan to put you back on track.
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other” – Abraham Lincoln
3. Make a Small Habit Change
You may recognize that you may have to make a small habit change or a few habit changes. Work at replacing the old non-effective habits with new ones. Remember that small incremental changes may be more attainable, realistic and measurable than a big giant leap at once. Consistency with these small habit changes is key.
“If you have good habits, time becomes your ally. All you need is patience” – James Clear
4. Live Simply
Simplify your life. With your goals clearly in view, seek to live simply. The objective is to achieve your goals; not to impress others. Do what works for you.
“I don’t know the key to success but the key to failure is trying to please everybody” – Bill Cosby
5. Change Your Environment
Sometimes, all you need is a change of environment. Changing your environment does not necessarily mean relocating. You could change your workspace environment by making it a little more organised and spacious. Another change could be a change in your schedule or the company you keep on a regular basis.
6. Get a Coach
If possible, get a coach to guide you through the change process. One thing a coach helps with is to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses so you can make good use of them all.
7. Recognize and Celebrate your Progress
It helps to recognize and celebrate your progress in all you do. This has to be intentional. Many people may not want to recognize something because they deem it insignificant but doing this encourages your journey and helps you see that you are on track.
Be encouraged to start over if you are not making any headway towards your goals for the year.
“A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them and strong enough to correct them.” – John Maxwell
Freda Abah-Dakou
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