It is the start of a brand new year! Don’t you love the feeling of starting on a blank canvas?
I find that the beginning of a new year is a beautiful time to commit to making some changes in your life. What changes would you like to make? I would like to spend more quality time with my family and work a lot less. Hah, isn’t that what most of us dream of?
At the start of December last year, I conducted an experiment for 1 month. I worked 75% less. And I did precisely the same amount of meaningful work as I did when I was working a lot more.
If I had worked a lot more, perhaps I could have scheduled more work in advance, written more blog posts, marketed my business more, and created more products for sale. But I deliberately worked less, and I focused on improving my website to better serve my readers.
Instead of working on many things at once, I chose to focus on one aspect of my business. And that made me happier because instead of spreading myself thin, I got to work on the most important aspect of my business and my pride and joy: my website.
By working less, I also made more time for myself and my family over the holidays, which was a HAPPY HIGH for me.
I used my “extra” time on making the following changes in my life:
1. I paid special attention to my health. I slept a lot more during the holidays and felt so much better! I also chose to eat and take care of myself better. I finally got a haircut, which made me feel more rejuvenated. And I applied facial masks to make my face feel fresher. I felt more beautiful overall!
Join me and let yourself get excited about the changes you’re making regarding your body and overall health.
2. I read more. I started reading again. I love to read novels because they allow me some form of escapism as I travel into the alternate world of the protagonist. I de-stress by reading because when I read, my mind is focused on finding out what happens in the novel, and I transcend into the fictional world, leaving all my worldly woes behind. I especially love reading Haruki Murakimibecause his novels are always so dreamy and surreal. When I read his books, I feel like I am floating around in another world.
Although you may prefer other activities, reading is one pastime that expands your mind in many ways.
Focus on reading about topics you enjoy or want to learn more about. If you love to travel, read travel guides and stories set in the places you’d like to visit. If you adore your dog, read about the breed, dog training techniques, and how to care for your pooch’s health.
Expanding your intellectual horizons will help you become a more interesting person who has plenty of things to converse about with others.
3. Each week, have a date with the love of your life. Over the holidays, I had play dates with my son every day. Yeah, I would play with him. He’s still at the age when he thinks that Daddy and Mummy are the world’s most fun people, and hey, I am milking the moment before he grows up and gets sick of us and only wanna hang with his friends!
Dates are meant to enhance your closeness and make your relationship stronger. They also add an element of fun to your partnership. Whether it’s a Tuesday evening pizza and movie at home or a Saturday night dinner followed by dancing, spend special time each week with your family members or partner.
4. Set priorities and keep them straight. Instead of working in my business, I focused on planning, strategizing, and setting out my priorities during the whole of December. I would sit in front of the TV with my planner and just plan, plan, and plan! Ok, I also wasted quite a lot of time just sticking super cute planner stickers all over my planner, but that’s the most fun part of planning, right? Hah!
If your priorities are family, work, and self, be sure to consider each one when you’re making decisions. The key is to be aware of your priorities. Start this year by behaving in ways that demonstrate your priorities. Maintain your focus on what’s important to you throughout the year.
When your existence matches your priorities, you’ll be more passionate about what you’re doing at home, in the workplace, and on your own.
5. This year, do something you haven’t done before. Ok, this may sound silly to you. But I am trying very hard not to pick up after my son every time he throws a toy on the floor and messes up the house. Yes, I need to consciously remind myself not to clear up the mess in my house. I believe that I need to live with a bit of a mess. This is especially difficult for a person like me because I love things to be in their rightful place.
I don’t live in a minimalist house, it’s full of books and clutter, but I like to call them my organized clutter because I know where everything is. Since everything is in its rightful place, there’s a sense of harmony in my house most of the time. But over the holidays, I just let go of my compulsion to pack. And that felt so liberating!!!
Anyway, nothing gets the juices flowing like engaging in a novel activity. Will it be a camping trip in your backyard or finally moving into those new condos with the fitness center and swimming pool? Maybe your new experience will be something you’ve wanted to do for years, or perhaps it’s something you’ve just decided to explore.
6. Put your best foot forward at work. If you’ve reached the point where you’re bored with work, it’s up to you to spice it up. For the month of December, I chose to work better and more efficiently by working less and focusing on the top 3 most important aspects of my business.
Strive to excel at your job this year. Volunteer for that new project, take on an undesirable task or expand your efforts each day.
Skip the gossip sessions at the water cooler. Offer extra help to your supervisor when she looks like she could use it.
Document your efforts and when the chance for a promotion arises, step up. Be confident and let the boss know why you’re the best person for the job.
Do everything you can to live your best life, starting now. You’ll soon discover that you’re feeling more vibrant, interested, and passionate in all aspects of your life. Happy New Year!
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Ashley Yeo
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About Me and Let's Connect!
My name is I-Ping Yeo but I write in my alter ego Ashley Yeo cos when I first started online, I was too shy to be me. Silly! Now that my whole website and brand is built on Ashley Yeo, I am gonna stick with it (cos I am too lazy to change it and too much money has been spent on Ashley Yeo) and spread some sweet cheer!
I am a previously jaded ex-lawyer and now positively charged mompreneur who founded AshleyYeo.com. Ashley Yeo is a “fictional” character who is very different from me in personality. I am formal and boring while Ashley Yeo attempts to live a bit more dangerously but within acceptable boundaries.
I produce and publish content under my brand Ashley Yeo. I produce content mainly about homeschooling, education, digital and online learning, self-care, gratitude, ikigai (Japanese term for “reason to be”), infectious happiness strategies, passion, positivity, planning, and productivity for moms. And I also share boss girl e-commerce strategies I am testing, and resources I am using, on my own small boss girl indie business.
I conjure seriously juicy journals, notebooks, planners, coloring stuff, printables, and pretty kawaii products out of love, peaches, and cream.
I am the author and publisher of the "Big Grateful Heart: 52 Week Gratitude Journal". This is one of my best-selling gratitude journals, and it was a number 1 new release on Amazon as well as on several of Amazon's Top 100 bestseller lists.
I especially love to produce premium printables complementary to your homeschool curriculum, and for your family's positivity and self-care.
My name is I-Ping Yeo but I write in my alter ego Ashley Yeo cos when I first started online, I was too shy to be me. Silly! Now that my whole website and brand is built on Ashley Yeo, I am gonna stick with it (cos I am too lazy to change it and too much money has been spent on Ashley Yeo) and spread some sweet cheer! 
