4 Worst Bits Of Advice We’ve Been Given About Bringing In The New Year

By

People have been passing around New Years advice for a long time. The deluge of New Year’s resolution advice on social media and goal-setting topics on television and radio at this time of year can be overwhelming. Most of the advice we hear about New Year’s is a reiteration of the same advice from the past years, overlooked, ignored or recycled. Here are a few things to think about differently in preparation for the New Year. Vow to bring in the year the right way this time. After all, what better way to start the New Year than with a fresh outlook on life?

1. Make sure that this year is a year with no regrets

Regrets usually occur for two reasons. Either you did something you should not have and might not be able to fix it, or you did something you should not have, so you are afraid to lose something important. Sure. There are plenty of things about 2014 we wish we could have prevented from happening. For instance, consider that horrible relationship. That year spent at a job you disliked, or think about that failed diet or those bad investments. You are right. For some, 2014 was a year filled with regrets and unwanted memories, but in the end we all learned something this year. The truth is, next year you will also go through something that will change your perspective on life for the better. There’s no point of regretting anything that has made you stronger. The past is gone, the future doesn’t exist yet, and all we have is today. You will eventually let go and move on. You cannot take it back, but you can for sure learn from your mistakes and regrets.

2. New Year, new you

Now how many times have we run across this on our social media timelines? In fact, if I received a dollar for every time I’ve heard or seen someone use this phrase, I’d be able to pay off my student loans……well at least some of them. My question is when people say this, do they really mean they want to change themselves? Or does this phrase really mean they wish to change the circumstance? I believe changing yourself begins with changing your perspective and view of the world around you. Aim to understand the world and you will gain a clearer understanding of your place in it, who you are now and what you must do to get to that person you long to be.

3. “No new friends” this year

No shade to Drake, the song is catchy, but popular authors Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler that are famous for finding that obesity is contagious, also found that certain behaviors are contagious, including being successful, happy, lonely, and even having willpower. I’m not saying I can agree with all claims but I will agree that if your network is full of people whose behavior and values are contrary to what you are striving to accomplish, you are most likely to fail no matter how much you your try to do the right thing. Take that one friend you have been questioning, and ask yourselves this: “What value does he/ she add to my life, if anything at all? Where I see myself going this year, can he/she go with me? Then consider surrounding yourself with new like minded people who are also trying to accomplish some good in life. Toxic “friends” are worth getting rid of this year. With the right team, there is no doubt you will reach your goals and gain valuable friendships along the way.

3. The ‘Don’t do this, don’t do that’ advice

Why is it that we place so much emphasis on what we are not going to or won’t do in the New Year? I am not going to communicate with my ex. I am not going to eat fast food. I won’t shop as much as I did last year. I suggest starting the new years with Do’s. For example, I will do it differently the next time. I will save more money this year. I will let go of my past hurt. Psychologists claim that the human brain cannot process a negative. For instance a sign that says “Do not walk in the street”, would get less of a positive response to the phrase “Stay on the sidewalk” .The reason for this is because the subconscious mind is fooled by the negative words, and ignores them. This twist on wordplay that will prove beneficial by changing the way you look at things. It is important to realize that the words you use when communicating can dramatically affect the results you get.

4. New Year’s resolutions, period

Think about all the New Year’s resolutions you have made in your life, now think about how many of them you have actually stuck to. My point exactly. Start the year strong in more creative ways such as making a vision board. Creating a vision board is probably one of the most valuable visualization tools ever. This unique tool serves as your image of the future. It represents your dreams, your goals, and your ideal life. By March, you probably won’t remember what your new year’s resolutions were, but this physical representation will always be there for you to see. If you have already defined your dreams, start the New Year differently by illustrating them visually. For those of you who are not that crafty, creating a manifesto would be better for you. A manifesto is a verbal declaration of the intentions and motives. A manifesto can help to keep you on course, and is often revisited for inspiration. It doesn’t matter if you are a recent grad, a college student, a rising entrepreneur, a CEO, or an artist — everyone needs a visual representation of who they are, and where they wish to see themselves in the future.

Be sure to check us out on Vine! Follow us here.