“Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.” ~ LL Cool J

When we reflect on the year that was, many of us have regrets. We look at the mistakes and judgments we made, and find ourselves filled with shame. However, now is the time to leave those feelings behind you. It might seem challenging to let go of the negative feelings that may be haunting you, but it’s important to remember that this decision is YOURS. The only person in control of your life is YOU.

You need to be willing to make some changes in order to transform your year and your life. One of the best things about January 1st is that it’s the perfect time to start fresh.

New year = new possibilities!

Over the past few years, I’ve been able to dabble in a number of different healthy habits that really helped me to feel more energized. Now — even though diet and exercise play an important role in this process — making small, subtle changes can truly make a difference in your life. Here’s how you can start your new year off on the right track, and begin to transform some of your negative habits into positive ones.

4 Changes That Can Transform Your Year (and Your Life)

Sometimes, making changes that you want to see in your life feels nearly impossible. It takes a willingness to step outside your comfort zone to make significant changes that will transform your world. If you want to start your year out right, these subtle changes can be the beginning of a happier, healthier life.

Listen to Your Intuition

We like to think life is linear and rational. But more often than not, we make blind decisions based on what we know at the time. But what if you started following your intuition more often than your brain? Often, the right choice is the one we don’t fully understand at the time. Your intuition can lead you down a path you least expect, but that can change your life in exciting ways. Worry less about connecting the dots and spend more time riding the wave.

Understand Your Why

You want to make changes but find year after year, you have yet to make it happen. One reason for this is that you don’t understand why you want to make the change. Or you understand it, but you focus on how hard it will be to make the change. Look at the big goal you have and ask yourself why you want it. Will it free up time, make you healthier, or make retirement more comfortable? If the answer is yes, you should keep your thoughts on how much better your life will be when you’ve made the change, and then take action. Always start with your “why.”

Take Action

Often we humans wait until the time is right to do something meaningful. And for this reason, many of us have regrets later in life. What do you genuinely want? If you can answer that question automatically, it’s time to take action. Any action. It doesn’t have to be the “right” action. But making that first step will lead you to discover the right next steps to take that will lead you to where you want to go.

Stay Shortsighted

Have you ever thought you’d like to make a significant change in your life but then thought yourself out of it? When we look too far into the future, we can get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing. Ask yourself what the first step would be to make that change. Then the next step. And the next one. Most successful people didn’t know where exactly they’d end up. They just knew they wanted to change their lives, and so they did, step by step. Don’t let the fear of the unknown future steal your happiness today by keeping you paralyzed.

Takeaway

Why do we put off the things we know will make our lives better? We can only change ourselves throughout the course of a year if we are willing to step out of our comfort zones and make those necessary changes.

A new year is a time for a change, and it’s tempting to drop everything and completely revamp your life. But that’s not the most effective way to make a real difference in your life. If you want to start the new year out right, these subtle changes can be just as effective as dramatic lifestyle overhauls. Just by making small changes (for example, one per week), you’ll set yourself on the path toward a happier 2022.