The start of a New Year is traditionally an ideal time for reflection – a chance to set goals and aspirations for the year ahead.

A New Year can mean a New You. A clean piece of paper from which to plan for successful and productive times ahead. A fresh start, where you can challenge and change your approach, your mindset, your life. To become the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Yet while setting personal and professional goals and targets at the beginning of the year provides focus, direction and a positive outlook, the impact will often prove to be minimal and short lived if the expectations we put upon ourselves requires significant and immediate change.

Change is good. It is positive, progressive. It encourages self-growth and development and can provide a platform for both personal and professional opportunities and enrichment. However, change should also be realistic, measured and purposeful if it is to be sustainable and yield the best results.

As you reflect and consider some of the changes that you wish to make, whether personally or professionally, first spend some quality time reflecting on your strengths, achievements and the positives in your life. Use this as a foundation for identifying the areas where change can be most beneficial and impactful.

Acknowledge and embrace what works for you now, instead of focusing on a ‘major change programme’ or a ‘significant transformation’, identify small changes that you can readily and effectively implement. Changes that will enhance and strengthen your current situation, as well as that of others.

Achievable, actionable and realistic small steps of change can prove incredibly motivational. Successes can be quickly realised and acknowledged, paving the way for more impactful, meaningful and sustainable results.

In business, managers and leaders, especially if they are newly appointed, will invariably seek out things to ‘change’ to make their mark and to add value to the business. However, it is crucial change is initiated for the right reasons and not just for change’s sake. Be clear about the rationale for change and then breakdown the change process into small steps and actions that can be readily and effectively implemented, and then quickly recognised and celebrated.

New year = New you? Why not? Just keep the changes achievable and realistic for maximum impact.

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