Without a doubt, 2020 tested us. Our resourcefulness and determination, our resilience and perseverance. Chances are both short-term, and long-term goals look different than what you had mapped out before the pandemic’s unprecedented entrance.
Yes, while we are happy to have closed the book on 2020 and ushered in a new year, much uncertainty remains. That stuck on pause feeling that invaded the early days of the lockdown may still have you in its grips. And that is not the way to launch into the new year. It is time to hit PLAY and set a course for 2021 armed with these three strategies.
- Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg shares advice for getting 2021 off to a great start.
“The first thing you need to do is you need to write down, like, actually literally take out a pen and paper and write down the habits that you have right now that you like, that the pandemic has given to you, that you want to keep because you’re going to forget them otherwise. Like once life starts up again, you’re going to forget.”
Now before you launch a vigorous protest, insistent that nothing of value resulted from the pandemic, take Duhigg’s advice. If you put some thought into it, you will most likely find that several positives can be credited to these crazy times. Maybe newfound flexibility has enabled you to roll with the punches where you used to lose it. Identify and grasp onto these “pandemic pluses” for the year ahead.
- In the same way “the pause” may have you in its clutches, carrying a pessimistic view of the entirety of 2020 into the new year can be just as damaging. It isn’t that we should pretend nothing terrible happened, but by writing off all the good, we allow the negatives of last year to encroach on this year.
Take time to recognize and celebrate what went right in 2020 by making a list of at least three favorite accomplishments. Add these to the record of habits from above. And then celebrate these achievements! By doing so, you will commence the new year with positivity and success on the front burner of your mind.
- Just as the pandemic ignited some new positives, it probably shined a glaring spotlight on some not-so-beneficial aspects of your life—habits, attitudes, activities, even relationships that just are not working to your advantage. Because you long for the best start to 2021, it’s time to take a serious look at these negatives that will not aid your best efforts in the year ahead.
Now, who didn’t cop a lousy attitude here or there last year? Mm-hmm. So, don’t be too hard on yourself, but take off the rose-colored glasses and don a pair of readers instead. Write down three of the worst offenders and note at least one strategy for rooting the unproductive element from your life.
A.R. Mazzotta wants to help you push PLAY on your employment options in 2021. As one of the top locally owned and operated staffing agencies in Connecticut, we work hard every day to connect the most reputable employers with the best talent. Our personal approach is the driving force behind the success we achieve for those we partner with. Call or text us today to connect with a real person at 860-347-1626 or apply on-line.