As we head into the new year, I reckon that we must all have optimism. Optimism is an attitude reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome of some specific endeavour will be positive, favourable and desirable.
Therefore, it is essential to head into 2023 with a positive vibe and hope.
In order to structure your head around this optimism, it is important to take the last few days of the year to rejuvenate and prepare for the challenges ahead.
However, do not fall for the "New Year's resolution" trap.
A mindless list of resolutions is arguably the most useless way to start the year. I hope you realise that "I will lose weight", "I will exercise more", "I will save money" and "I will learn how to cook", among others, are merely fragile wishes.
There is a big difference between deciding on an action plan and creating a random list of New Year's resolutions. So, I hope you will do something more meaningful.
If you are in doubt, let me suggest a few ideas.
Start with a proper evaluation of the past year. If you are dissatisfied with your results, you need do some personal stock-taking. This will help you decide on the areas that must be improved and figure out the plans for turning things around.
Review your results and decide if the efforts you had put in during the year yielded satisfactory outcomes. Apply this to your work-life, family life, friendships, relationships, financial life, community connections, personal growth and even your spiritual life.
If you are satisfied with the results, think about what you can do to make the new year just as good, if not better. But if you are not completely satisfied with the results, think about what needs to change next year.
This simple process of reflection will generate tremendous energy in you for the new year.
Next, ask yourself if there are additional skills that will help you and offer you better growth results. At the end of the day, our growth is always predicated on skills and desire.
Often, people say they have passion or desire for something. But this alone is not enough. You must add craft to your passion. Only when there is craft or skill can we realise our dreams and sustain results.
Think about the hard-skills that you need to augment. These are the technical and operational skills that help you at work or your business. At the same time, look at your soft-skills. These include communication skills, relationship management, time-keeping and stress management.
If you evaluate your performance for this year based on both the above and juxtapose that with your growth expectations for the new year, you will realise where you need to upskill.
As you reflect on your performance for this past year and your aim for the next, it is also important that you spend some time thinking about the concept of "ownership".
In my experience, the people who attain exponential growth are always those who take ownership for their own actions.
Good or bad, the deal is that you have to take responsibility. If you start with the premise that the fault is never with your boss, the economy or the government (even if it is), you tend to focus on solutions rather than justifications.
If you hold a managerial role, resolve to create value for yourself, your team and your company by working with a keen sense of passion and commitment to achieve results. You must engage team members, colleagues and customers.
For this, own and run efficient, purposeful meetings. Lead with an agenda and focus on the task at hand and ensure that all ideas are heard and considered in a respectful manner. Stop wasting everyone's time by grandstanding or showing how clever you are. Be efficient with time usage.
Outstanding managers focus on results and try to create great experiences for everyone.
If you are a business owner, understand that you can make the ultimate difference in people's lives. Your role is to guide others safely and securely to a particular destination.
You have the task of inspiring, teaching, supporting and developing your team. You will be required to help individuals navigate the challenges of their careers and even their lives. This is what business owner do.
Make these last few days of the year count. Be grateful for the good that this has brought and, at the same, think about how you would like the next year to pan out for yourself.
Happy New Year, everyone. My best wishes for a joyous, productive and lovely 2023.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
