10 Ways to Make a Fresh Start

We are leaving for Bali in exactly 40 days today, and I've realised that it is one of several fresh starts many of us make in life - moving (whether it is moving home or moving to a new country) This adjustment will be followed by new jobs, new relationships, new friendships. 

As I pull together my thoughts, grab some tissues, and prepare the words of wisdom I’ll leave with my friends with I’m reminded of the great advice I’ve heard over the years. Here are 10 of my favorite words of advice for starting anew:

1. TRY NEW THINGS :

Try new foods.Read books that are outside your area of expertise. And don’t be afraid to take bigger risks, such as moving across the country. It’s the life experiences that broaden your perspective.

2. DON'T BE AFRAID TO FAIL :

Too many people believe failure is a reflection on them, and they come to the conclusion that they’re not good enough.

Those who have a growth mindset, however, think failure is a roadmap for what not to do next time. From minor slip-ups to epic fails, all of us will falter at some time in life; to be successful, you have to have a certain amount of blindness to the risk.

3. TALK TO STRANGERS

Open yourself to new opportunities by looking approachable. Assume the other person is shy and say hello. Then find common ground on which to start a conversation. If there is something of interest, don’t be afraid to ask for the person’s contact information and then follow up.

We’re all so worried what other people might think about us. The truth is that no one cares because they’re worried about themselves.”

4. BE WILLING TO CHANGE

What got you where you are today isn’t going to get you where you want to go tomorrow.

5. WRITE A PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT

A mission sums up who you are and what you stand for; it brings focus and purpose to your life.

6. DON'T TRY TO FIT IN

Too often, we try to fit in with our environment because we think it will help us move forward, but the person who embraces their differences stands out.

Once you identify what makes you different, concentrate on it. To be successful, you don’t have to change who you are; you have to become more of who you are.

7. BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF

Go to a rock concert or other stuff involving hundreds or thousands of people. Be in a crowd. In something way bigger than yourself. Blend in and lose your sense of identity (which is false anyway, we’re all part of something bigger). Confronting your own tiny ego with this.   huge surrounding energy will make any decision you embrace much easier. Especially a new start.

8. DON'T GET HUNG UP ON BEING PERFECT

Parents and teachers encourage us to take time to do our best, but sometimes it is just not practical, says Jeremy Eden, coauthor of Low-Hanging Fruit: 77 Eye-Opening Ways to Improve Productivity and Profits.

“Excelling sounds like a good thing,” he says “But if you use this mindset in everything you do, you’re spending a huge amount of time on things that aren’t important.”

Instead, identify the things that are worth “gold plating,” and then adopt a policy where good is good enough.

9. BE SELFISH

To be a healthy, grounded person, you need to be selfish and take care of your own needs. People who are self-focused but not self-involved are healthier, happier, have better relationships, and have better leadership skills.

10. DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE - CELEBRATE EVERY MILESTONE

Finally, the road ahead can feel long and overwhelming. To alleviate some of the stress, focus on milestones. Milestones are everywhere: getting on the plane, the first week of a new job, the first client.

Concentrate on staying focused for an hour or for a day instead of looking at everything that is ahead - it can get overwhelming at times. 

Lots of love
Alka