As 2024 begins, and the endless Mariah Carey songs on every Instagram post begin to dwindle, I have a mix of emotions as we slip into the new year. Truly, I felt a rush of joy while scrolling social media, watching friends creating happy moments with family, traveling to exotic places, treasuring moments, and even sharing reflections from the year. I loved the burst of Michael Bublé, on picture perfect post that gave you enough conviction that their lives are perfect.
Yet on the other hand, if you couldn’t be with your near and dear ones, or if were not on an exotic island swimming with dolphins, it might have felt overwhelmingly, nauseatingly annoying. What life are we craving and how do we translate what we want into inspirational motivation for the new year?
In December, I took my kids skiing for the first time in Switzerland. I thought the magic of a small Swiss town embellished with Christmas tinsel on every corner, amidst snowcapped mountains would take their breath away. While driving into Zermatt, my son did pipe up from the backseat saying the Swiss alps were so spectacular he could cry. Days went by and when I asked my children if they thought the trip was the most perfect Christmas ever, to my slight horror they both didn’t think so.
To them, the perfect Christmas was at their Grandparent’s home in India. Cozy, family time with cousins and grandparents to spoil them meant more than a trip to the Swiss Alps. I share this because fundamentally their perfect is being with family, not being taken halfway across the world. If we as adults know in our core what brings us true joy, then that’s the life we can strive for.
When we think about the life we want, we need to know at the core what keeps our heart racing each day, our ability to deal with adversity and where joy really comes from. It wasn’t the materialistic things on your list to Santa, but more likely the reason you wake up each day and perhaps your purpose in life.
As the CEO of your life, take charge of your choices and learn to navigate through both triumphs and tribulations. Reflect on your past decisions and acknowledge your role in reaching your current state. Whether you are content or dissatisfied, your choices have shaped your journey. Embrace the reality that challenges are inevitable, but your resilience defines your path forward.
As you jot down your resolutions, consider structural changes that align with your goals. Instead of generic aspirations like “losing weight” or “being successful,” focus on tangible lifestyle adjustments. For instance, waking up 30 minutes earlier daily can create space for workouts, meditation, or reading—habits associated with success. Pondering broader lifestyle changes can holistically propel you toward achieving multiple goals.
To manifest the life you desire, delve deep into your aspirations, shifting your focus from what you don’t want to what you do. Goals release motivating endorphins, but success is earned through action, not mere wishes. Clearly define your priorities and set incremental goals across various aspects of your life.
Maintain clarity amidst external influences, as they can obscure your true desires. Define your sources of happiness, chart your path to success, and establish clear steps to reach your objectives. Remember, you are the driver of your journey, and by concentrating your energy and time on positive pursuits, you can attract the outcomes you truly desire.
Lastly, change the way you speak, think, and behave to a more positive way. A positive mindset is far more likely to attract positive energy back that helps keep you motivated towards what you want to achieve.
Start 2024 with a clear vision of what perfect means to you. Create a vision board, find your word, write it down, and keep it in a place where you constantly see it. It’s also helpful to find accountability with those around you by sharing your plans or sitting down to plan your year together. For me, perfection is a beautiful combination of all the imperfect moments in my life. Each negative moment to learn from, and each wonderful one to be grateful for.
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Article written by Shireena Shroff Manchharam.
Copyright 2024 © Getting To Happy™
