There is something strangely compelling about the change in calendar year that makes us stop and think about what we’re doing with our lives. It’s as if it grants us a clean slate, an opportunity to take stock, to start afresh and live anew.

January 1st just feels like the right time to bite the bullet and do those things we know will be good for us — to kick bad habits and start taking better care of ourselves.

Below is a list of values to kickstart the new year and help bring about a happier, healthier you.

Value 1: Be Purposeful — Fix An Inspiring Goal.

A worthy purpose creates positive energy and peace of mind. Ask yourself, “What’s my purpose?”…. “What am I meant to be doing with my life?” …. Once you have the answer, fix that firmly in your mind as your higher goal to achieve. Let nothing stand in your way.

A higher goal is a selfless goal, meaning it’s beyond any self-centred interest and benefitting a larger number of people. Understanding your purpose and having a higher goal keeps you focused, balanced, energised and peaceful.

Value 2: Create a Plan — And stick to it.

Spend some time carefully planning the steps you need to take to reach your higher goal. Write a list of all the tasks you need to carry out to achieve your objective.

Value 3: Be Present — Focus on the task at hand.

The mistake most people make is that they focus their mind on the goal or the outcome. This creates anxiety, which immobilises action. Your mind must be behind the present action. Only then will you gain the results you want.

Value 4: Be Good — Always follow your conscience.

Your conscience is your inner compass. It always tells you what is right and wrong — and guides you to do what is right. When you do not heed your conscience, you suffer the knocks and shocks of life.

Value 5: Be Kind — See the good in others.

Practice seeing the good in others. Learn to X-ray through the qualities you don’t like about a person, to see the goodness within. Everybody has goodness in them. If you find it too difficult, then remember this quote by Plato: “Be kind; everyone is fighting their own battle.”

Value 6: Be Friendly — Drop your ego.

Personal preferences (ego) are the barrier that stand between you and being friendly towards others. There may be certain traits you don’t like in a person, but that is no reason to be unfriendly. What you dislike, others like. So rise above your dislikes and be friendly. You’ll be amazed the difference it makes.

Value 7: Be Balanced — Rise above your ego.

Life is full of ups and downs, but that doesn’t mean that we should either be up or down. Does it? No. We are affected by life’s changes and challenges because of our personal preferences (ego). When the world caters to us we’re happy, but when it doesn’t we feel frustrated, stressed and unhappy. Instead, learn to rise above your likes and dislikes. That way you’ll be balanced in both pleasure and pain.

Value 8: Be Forgiving — No one is perfect!

Each one of us is helpless when it comes to being who we are — an imperfect individual. Of course we can change, but change takes time. For now we must understand that when others do and say things that seem inappropriate, we should not take it personally, but rather forgive them. They are helpless. Remember, forgiveness creates peace.

Value 9: Be Grateful — It’s the little things in life that mean the most.

We must learn to be grateful for what we have. When we focus on what we don’t have, then we feel deprived and hard done by. But when we focus on what we have — food on our table, family and friends, eyes to see, ears to hear, etcetera …. The list is infinite.

Value 10: Give Back — The spirit of generosity creates peace.

When we are genuinely grateful for everything that we have, we automatically want to give back. Think about those who have benefitted you, who have helped create a positive change in your life. Find out what you can do for them and intelligently give back. It is your duty to do so.

Value 11: Be Fearless — face the challenges of life with confidence.

Fear manifests in darkness (ignorance), but where there is light (knowledge) there can be no fear. When our goal in life is set high, and we are detached from insignificant things, then we become fearless.

Fear arises when there is a sense of otherness — a feeling that you are different from me. But when you identify with your fellow man and feel a sense of unity, then fear diminishes.

Value 12: Strengthen Intellect — The key to success and happiness.

The above values are possible only when you have a strong intellect to keep your mind present and focussed. The mind runs helter-skelter. Busy, rushing, hurrying and worrying. The intellect, on the other hand, keeps your mind calm and composed.

The intellect is the adult of your personality. The mind is like a two-year-old child. A child without a parent gets into trouble. Similarly, your mind without an intellect gets into worry, anxiety, fear, stress, addictions and depression. Intellect keeps you sane, peaceful and happy.

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