We can all get stuck in a rut from time to time, sometimes without really noticing it. We just keep plodding on, staying in our comfort zone, keeping our head down and just getting on with it. The things is, after a while, plodding along with your head down soon gets to be really boring. Soul destroying, even. Wouldn’t it be nicer to stride along, full of energy with your head held high, enjoying the blue skies? Making changes to your circumstances requires effort, courage and commitment, and if you are prepared to invest in yourself, the payback is well worth it.
So how do you go about achieving a new you? Start off by setting some goals. Ask yourself honestly about the things you want to change in your life, and the things you are happy to keep the same.
New job?
Do you like your job or does it bore you rigid? Perhaps there are some courses you could take that would speed your way up the promotion ladder at work? Be proactive and ask your boss about training opportunities. If you are not happy in your current profession, why not consider re-training? Today’s job market is a far cry from how it used to be when you stuck at one job for life. These days your career path can be far more rambling, rewarding and unconventional.
New friends?
There is nothing more stimulating than meeting interesting new people. Widen your circle of friends by signing up for some new activities. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be a choir, book club, spinning class or salsa lessons, just find somewhere you are likely to meet some new faces apart from the usual crowd. Volunteer work can be very rewarding and really open your eyes up to the different worlds we all inhabit. There will be many local organisations in your area who would welcome your help, so get online and see what sort of things are available.
New look?
Creating a whole new look is a brilliant way of re-energising and re-launching the new you. Have you been blonde for years? Why not throw caution to the wind and go brunette? If you don’t like it, you can always change it back. Take advice from your hairdresser on the styles that would suit you best. A younger, fresher look to match your energised attitude can be achieved with anti ageing treatments such as dermal fillers and botox injections. Beauty therapies have really advanced in recent years and the treatments available are reliable and effective. Other stuff you could do to change your look might involve having your eyebrows re-shaped, slimming down a dress size or even getting a tattoo inked on your skin. Whatever makes you happy, it’s your body after all – enjoy it!
New horizons?
Even though we all know that travel broadens the mind, we don’t get out there and explore as much as we should. It is easy to visit the same holiday destinations every year because we know what to expect. But why not try somewhere else for a change? Go somewhere that will really stretch you, a place that provides immersion in a different culture and language experience, somewhere that removes you totally from your every day life. Have the confidence to take a risk – so what if it doesn’t all go according to plan, at least you were open to change and learning about new places. It will probably whet your appetite for travelling further afield in the future.
No time to lose
Many people use the motivation of a significant birthday milestone, New Year or a summer holiday as a kick start to changing things in their lives. This is all well and good, but there is no time like the present to seize the initiative and just get on with it. Take responsibility for your own happiness, don’t be a passive spectator as life passes you by – stand up and get involved. Engage with life and get stuck in. Make positive changes to improve your life and learn to accept the things you can’t alter, but also make an effort to appreciate all the great things you already have in your life. It’s the oldest cliché in the book, but remember that life is not a rehearsal – so start working on project ‘new you’ and seize centre stage!
*About Author: Chris Jenkinson is a UK based marketing consultant writing for Oxford Beauty Treatments Qutis Clinic