@MoRgAnMuFaSa 5 December 2022

*5 things you should do in December to be successful in the new year* *Written By Dr Laide Okubena* With the holiday season upon us, many of us will have plenty of big goals we want to accomplish next year. However, with the Christmas festivities now in full swing, most people will decide to wait until the New Year to start working on their goals.  But with half of the people reveling in Christmas festivities, mentally checked out from their job or businesses never mind their career goals, December is the perfect time to get ahead of everyone else and set yourself up for a successful 2023. How to Prepare for the New Year #1. Review Your Year This one is first for a reason. It's so important to take time to reflect upon the last year, before planning the next. How else will you know what worked and what didn't? You need to do a year-end review of your life especially if there are any strong emotions of failure, disappointment, or frustration about 2022. It's okay, the new year is almost here and you can start fresh. Imagine how much more you'll accomplish in the new year when you've remembered things like the best life lessons, goals you've set, and life-changing moments from 2022. That includes "failures" and any "fails" they are the best teachers. #2. Audit Your Life Let's talk about your life. How are thinggs going? Do you feel happy and successful, or frustrated and unsatisfied? It's okay either way. To do a simple life audit, consider the areas of your life, including your: health and fitness emotional and mental wellbeing finances and money habits Relationships and family career and learning spirituality and community Think about how you feel about each of these areas and consider what would you change or spend more time doing if you could. Now, what's most important? You can't accomplish everything in one year, but you can prioritize one or two new areas. #3 . Review Your Finances How are your finances? What's your money situation? Be honest now. You simply cannot prepare for a successful new year without reviewing your finances. Figure out things like: .Household income after taxes. Earning Capacity or Skillsets Average household expenses Rent or mortgage Car payments and transportation Food costs and miscellaneous Outstanding debt Credit card payments Student loan repayment Investments and assets Retirement and savings Emergency fund. # 4. Make a Wellness Plan Are you in good health or are you feeling it? Do you live a healthy lifestyle? Health is so much more than physical fitness and nutrition, although that's obviously important. There's a reason so many of us are setting new year's fitness goals to "get fit" or "lose weight." When life gets busy, health just isn't a priority, until it's too late. Regular exercises like walking, Mediation, visiting the gym. Practice mindfulness throughout the day Staying hydrated and drinking lots of water Sleeping better at night and getting enough sleep Taking time off to relax and enjoy mental health days Practicing self-care by pampering yourself at home Being cozy by taking time to hygge at home or at work Book your yearly physical, eye, and dental appointment. 5. Set yourself clear goals for the next 12 months Where do you want to be this time next year? What kind of job do you want to be doing? If you’re happy in your current job, how can you be more effective? What further responsibilities would you like to take on?  Make your goals specific, think about what activities you’d like to be doing on a day to day basis, even how much money you’d like to earn. Doing so will give you clear objectives to work towards. Question of the day What part of your personal and professional life needs adjustment while you show gratitude for what you currently have ? Thanks for your attention and please enjoy your day. *Dr Laide Okubena*