Change is in the air. I see it everywhere and in every person I seem to be bumping into or meeting with these days. New year, new chapter, new beginnings, perhaps. Or maybe we’re turning into a culture of innovation and reinvention by design or necessity. As Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
Focus on some of these effective tips to create positive change in your business and your life:
- Allow yourself enough sleep. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you’re rested and feeling fresh.
- Exercise, and get the blood flowing to all parts of your body. We lead sedentary lives today, spending too much time in front of our computers or behind the wheels of our cars. Get up and move, walk more and do something aerobic every day.
- Eat well and regularly. Food is the fuel for your mind and body. Sit down and have a civilised meal, ideally with an interesting person or something great to read. It’ll open your mind, expand your capacity and create energy for your day.
- Leave room for serendipity in your life. When you have white space on your calendar, think, write, call an old friend or colleague to catch up, or just breathe.
- Don’t be scared to hit the pause button sometimes. There’s no rewind in life, but so much of our time seems to be living in fast forward these days that when you feel like you need a break, you should listen to your gut and reflect on what’s going on around you. There are times to sprint, times to recover and days that are just a marathon. Each serves an important purpose.
- Expand your network. There are a lot of interesting people out there. Go to events or talks you typically don’t attend. Join an organisation tangentially related to your area of speciality or linked to along lost hobby you used to love. There are wine groups, film clubs, weekend camping trips, online organisations and groups for every interest you can imagine. Chances are, you’ll meet some great people along the way.
- Try new things. Reach beyond your comfort zone so you continue to stretch and grow. You may just stumble into some activities you really enjoy and find out you have some hidden talents and skills you never realised. Keep those synapses firing – it may even help stave off Alzheimer’s, so break those routines and shake things up a bit. Cruise control is for cars, not entrepreneurs.
- Deal with issues head-on. Quit procrastinating and just tackle those issues you have been avoiding. What do you have to lose? You may just solve them if you put them on the top of your to-do list and face them square on. Worst case, you’ll try a few things that won’t work, but you may just have that breakthrough you were hoping for after all.
Even if you don’t end up making major changes in your business, make some small changes to help you become more rested, relaxed and healthier – a recipe for success in the long-term.