TOP 10 MUST-DOs BEFORE THE NEW YEAR

Who said anything about Resolutions?

Its stale socks. You know, the bickering about whether or not New Year Resolutions live past January, who's ditching them this year and who still has eyes on making a few. To each, his/her own so, let's leave that there.

Instead, let us cut the chase and use the remaining days to do these 10 things that will position our lives on better standings for the up coming year and beyond.

Number 1: Know your answer to "Who am I?"

You would be surprised how many persons are stomped when asked who they are. They either repeat the question coyly with eyes wandering with no purpose or begin on the spot to question themselves. Who am I?

Spoiler alert, your name, age, height, occupation, number of siblings, pets or children is by no means an invalid answer. However, such a question calls for a bit more searching within yourself.

What are your zealous about? What are your values? What projects are you working on that may need partnership or sponsorship? Why is it important to you? Should you snooze your alarm, what would you suddenly remember that would propel you from your slumber? Who do you inspire? Who inspires you? Why?

All this is part of who you are. A definition that changes daily because we inch closer day after day to our goals; get challenged by different obstacles and acquire new interests.  This not only helps interviewers, dates and new friends to figure out who you are, but affirms you, that you are in tune with YOU and subsequently...know what serves you and what does not.

Number 2: Do a Social Media Analysis/Edit

Relax. I am not deducing that your posts and engagements are ill. That's for you to decide. By analysis I mean, check to see if you are using the updated versions of the social media apps you use. Sometimes our slow and faulty experiences arise from outdated apps. 

Also, ensure that you have all the social media apps that serve your interests, profession and skills. Ideally, if you love learning new crafts and life hacks, then you should already have YouTube and Pinterest. Similarly, if you are in a job seeking phase or just want to establish your professional connection, then LinkedIn is an ideal space. You get the gist.

Next, do some editing if necessary. Maybe the last time you edited you were a junior and presently, you have been promoted. Allow your preferred social media platforms to reflect this. Likewise, you may want to edit your following on Instagram. This doesn't only mean the amount of followers. Let's say you are interested in building bird houses for the upcoming year and beyond. It follows suit then that you may want to follow other individuals doing this craft. 

Number 3: De-clutter and Organize your Devices

Are you one of those persons who have an excessive amount of screenshots? Chances are, you'll need space for more! Browse through your phone's gallery to delete images and gifs that you no longer need. Be careful though, not to get caught up reminiscing. Search too for those WhatsApp groups that have only you as member or doesn't serve you any longer. This isn't a burning bridges tutorial now...some groups may have been created for a task that is long gone and is just taking up space now, Exit and delete.

What do you think about arranging your songs...into categories/playlists? That would save you time when searching for particular music and would also spare you the dangerous leap on Sunday when a hardcore dancehall song graces the audience you were blessing with the sweet tones of gospel. 

To add, if you enjoy changing screen savers, lock screens and profile pictures, now would be a good time to consider even, what your replacement will be.

As for laptop and desktops, it would be of great help to organize folders too.

Number 4: Re-visit your Resume and Cover Letter

Whether you have job security or not, whether you received a job proposal or not, re-visit you resume and cover letter. Who knows, maybe your format is outdated or simply, unappealing. Also, maybe by now you have decided if you will use a coma or a full stop after the greetings.

On a more serious note, personal growth is imperative. Character and skills and interests. Is there something new that you have garnered in the past months? Anything you have augmented? All this growth, care how small helps to polish your resume. Re-visiting your resume and cover letter can also mean editing double words and grammar. Share with a trusted friend or family member to assist you with the process of getting it up to par. It doesn't hurt to do so now. Spare yourself the anxiety and rush when the appointed time arises.

Number 5: Get your Finances in Order

This is not the typical budgeting header. In fact, it is that and more. The Financial Foundation Pyramid gives us a visual of what it means to get our finances in order. At the very base, there is protection. This refers to your insurances. Life, health, disability, travel insurance etc. What's the use, walking around like immortals with no insurance, only to be significantly displaced by unforeseen risks with no assurance of indemnity or substantial financial aid? 

Following that is debt management. There are many among us who are debt free and we shouldn't envy them. There is significant amount of discipline that comes with that. Do not despair however if you are indeed indebted whether by student loans, car loans, credit car loans, mortgages etc. Now, more that ever is a good time to get your finances in order...so other people and organizations can get theirs in order too.

Close to the top of the pyramid is emergency fund. What's the sense just having a savings account without the other elements of the pyramid? What that means is that you will deplete your savings for health reasons that health insurance would have taken care of. You will also turn to your savings to pay debt and for emergencies. Then, no savings and possibly there wasn't even enough to take care of the complications. Thus, having things separate helps. Emergency fund for emergencies.

Then, at the very top is investment. Here, your money works even as you sleep. Assets are the order of the day and financial freedom tastes great. 

A part of getting your finances in order includes getting financially educated too. Not in terms of x = y. Rather, how to kick start your financial foundation pyramid.

Number 6: Seek out Extracurricular Activities

This isn't just for students. Adults too can get engaged in associations related to their professions. Here they may be exposed to social events, skills building and feel as though they are part of a community of like minded individuals. There are a plethora of clubs and other social groups that one can associate themselves with based values, talents and interests.

Do not take for granted the saying "I am busy". We all make time for what we want and excuses for what we do not want so much. If there is nothing that grabs your interest, then create something. Who knows, maybe others will join you.

School to home. Work to home. Work to school to home. Home to home, whichever combination resonates with you...is not enough. It may be in your comfort zone but your talents, potential and ultimate purpose need more stretching and challenges. A ship is safe at harbour, but that isn't where it was built for. Go sail!

Number 7: Live more out of intent than habit and custom

Story goes, our brain remembers all our habits and executes them well. So, they stay with us and are hard to break. For some persons, they have a habit of frying an egg and cuddling it between slices of bread and that's that. What if they make a conscious effort to add lettuce to the shopping list? Or if they decided to scramble with tomatoes. That would be a whole new experience and the mundane meal would transform into an anticipated delight.

For some persons, sticking to something may mean loyalty to brand and signature. While for others, it really is just a habit that they'd be willing to change.

When we live more out of intent, we live in the moment and sometimes our experiences are better. Don't stay bogged down by how something has always been done. If that was a law, even the law would cease to serve its purpose.

Number 8: Be your biggest fan and most animated Cheerleader

We must understand, even our best friends and truest support systems inhale and exhale too. By virtue of that, they lead separate lives and may not always be the zest of energy and "go ahead" we need. Even if they are ALWAYS there, they may no always be fired up 100%.

As a result, start honing the skill of setting yourself into motion and muster the ability to cheer yourself on. You will need this when the weirdest, riskiest or otherwise slight ideas are conceived in your thoughts. You will also need this when you start a project with all the motivation you amassed only to find it dwindling at a crucial point.

It is wise to cherish your cheerleaders and rely on them for sure. However, consider their capacity and how much better it would be if you helped with cheering yourself on too.

Number 9: Who will you help climb up the ladder?

Sure, the universe is conspiring to bless you abundantly and cause you to succeed in all that you do. Prosperity, new and wonderful beginnings are aiming their bows at you.

When you're done claiming that, consider this...

Who will you help climb up the ladder? The season of giving and goodwill is everyday. The smallest acts of kindness has helped YOU at some time or another in your life thus far. It may be the turning point in another's life just the same.

Consider your time, talents, resources, wisdom etc. how can it be of impact and to who? Avoid the urge to sit a top the ladder looking down with spite. Avoid kicking it down too, as you may have to venture down. The ladder is metaphoric and they differ. As one person's ladder may not be the same as yours. However, the motions of up and down are the same. 

Number 10: Look back on the winding Year

Businesses are reviewing their strategies, parliaments, their approaches. In every sector, in every home, some reflection will be taking place even unconsciously. It would be an injustice to yourself not to reflect as well.

There are goals you have, constructions to complete, worthwhile decisions you made, some bitter-sweet. Whatever the winding year brought you. Whatever lacking it highlighted. Take a look back. Month by month if possible. What are your highlights? What lessons did you learn? What lessons did you forget?

How will you proceed?

Lady Justice, we are still sure of today in this year. Let's look back with care. The winding year is closing in on us and we are not sure what the face of the coming one looks like. My hope is that we will see it not as a start over of our lives but actually a blessing to continue it differently.