5 Simple Tips To Get You Through January

January comes with a lot of pressures, expenses, financial issues, and undue stress from the previous year. But this year, you can make your January turn out differently.

But how?

I might know just the best help to give you.

Check out these simple tips I have put together to help you get through this year without stress.

Note: These tips are not going to make you achieve your goals all at once. No! That is up to you to do! They are simple tips that will make you productive and happy with yourself at the end of January.

After all, that is what really matters!!

1

Don’t Put Pressure on Yourself

Yes, you heard that right. January comes with a lot of pressure. You probably postponed a lot of activities in December so you could do it in the new year (January).

You have probably started getting templates and emails on how to set the right resolution for the year. These are all great stuffs but if you put yourself under undue pressure to achieve so much in just 31 days, you will end up not doing anything and that’s even worse.

Mind.org.uk sheds some light on pressure, “When you’re under a lot of pressure it’s easy to set yourself large targets that are often unachievable. This can make you feel more stressed and if you don’t reach them, it can make you feel disappointed and frustrated.”

This January, instead of setting unachievable resolutions and goals or expecting to do great at all you want to do at once, take a deep breath and relax.

Think more about the little things you can handle and work towards achieving them at your own pace.

2

Execute More than You Plan

Steve Jobs said and I quote “To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions.” 

This is especially important to me because I spent one-half of last year planning and the other little half executing and I didn’t like myself for it. So one of my resolutions which I am also passing to you is to do more executing than planning. 

Ideas are beautiful. Making plans is beautiful but if you don’t make them happen, you might as well keep quiet about your plans. 

Focus more on carrying out those plans you had last year and even those plans and resolutions you have written for this year. That takes us to the next tip.

To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions

Steve Jobs

3

Do One Thing at a Time

This is a familiar yet less taken serious statement. I know you have so much you want to achieve. Trust me, I do too. But if I may ask, “How long have you had these dreams and plans?” “How many have you been able to achieve?”

Do you know why you haven’t done anything about it? It’s because you want to do it all at the same time.

So, why not pick the one you can do now, focus on it and make it happen?

And then, when you have actualized that, pick another one and do it too.

This makes it easier for you to carry out your plans.

 You will also feel good about yourself because constantly disappointing yourself by never accomplishing any of your goals is bad for your mental health and self-esteem.

In an article, Shine writes that “Disappointing yourself can make you question your ambitions, your self-worth, and your abilities.”

And it’s so true. You are the only one who knows what you’re capable of and if you keep living beneath it, you will never be happy with yourself. 

This has happened to me firsthand. Infact, I am more self-aware and hardworking today because I hate the feeling that comes with knowing your capabilities and not living up to them. 

So, to avoid feeling like this, stop doing so much at once, you will eventually achieve nothing. Focus on one thing and do it with all your heart. When you win, you can move to the next one.

Focus on one thing and do it with all your heart.

theavidinspire.com/

4

Set Actionable Goals

The first tip The Productivity Experts gave on setting actionable goals is “Set goals that are clear and definite, don’t be vague. Be specific.” You can read their article for more help on setting actionable goals. 

Be clear about your goals. Make it clear and concise. Break it into plans you can easily achieve. 

For example:

I will increase the number of visitors on my website by posting three times a week.

Ensure you break these goals into plans you can achieve easily. For the example above, you can achieve it by setting out time (like an hour or two a day) to write a blog post. Then, set another time to post the article on your website.

Also, for you it could be getting promoted at work, increasing your business income, increasing engagements on your social media, creating more content, forming new habits (be specific), or even praying more this year. 

Whatever it may be, ensure you set goals around it.

If you need accountability and help with achieving your goals, you can check out The Avid Planner on Instagram, for guides on planning, goal setting, and productivity. You can also send a private message for accountability and coaching on planning and goal settings. 

Another step to setting actionable goals is to ensure you write it down. Writing it down will help you remember, this is what you have to do and this is how you want to do it (out of sight is out of mind). 

Then, put this writing where you can easily see it to keep you motivated.

Lastly, have a deadline and be disciplined enough to stick to it. And when you eventually achieve it, reward yourself for a job well done.

Set goals that are clear and definite, don’t be vague. Be specific.

The Productivity Experts

5

Take your health seriously

This is a crucial one. Last year, I lost people dear to me to death caused by bad health and this has made me more intentional about my health.

These are some health tips I’ve learnt so far:

• Drink a lot of water (six 50cl bottles is not too much)

• Reduce your sugar intake or quit sugar consumption altogether. I told my brother I won’t be taking more than zero to one soda per month this year and he is bent on tempting me to break my rule (jokingly anyways). But I am stronger in my resolve because I have learnt how dangerous excess sugar can be to the health. Also, reduce or stop taking soda altogether because soda comprises mostly of sugar (this is also a tip to reduce your excess belly fat (Thank me later). Take this from me,  whenever you feel like taking soda or excess sugar, drink water or take fruits instead.

• Take a lot of fruits and vegetables.

• Go for walks, jogs, and exercises (you can also try skipping with a rope or without a rope (or hit the gym).

• Visit the doctor when you feel unwell and avoid self-medication. 

You need your health to achieve your plans for this month and this year. So, therefore, you must make it a priority.

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These are simple tips to get you through January and start this year with. All you need to change your world is to change yourself first. And you can do that by taking the right steps now.

I wish you a wonderful, fulfilling month.

Let me know some of the steps you’re taking this January to make your year better in the comments section.