mens winter vest with hood:5 WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF 2016

“I want to lose weight”, “I want to get fit”, “I want to eat healthier”…sound familiar? Yes, the New Year is upon us and it is a time of reflection and setting goals for the year ahead. However, most of us set goals that don’t materialize and we inevitably end up the couch, watching Netflix and eating chocolate, thinking “Oh well, I’ll try again next year” (please don’t tell us it’s just us).

But as a new year comes so does new opportunities so we have compiled a list of our top 5 ways to make the most of 2016 in the hope that it will motivate and inspire you (and us) to have an amazing year!

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 MAKE A LIST

Before the 1st of January we would recommend you make a list of the things you would like to achieve during the year ahead. Having them written down in this format gives you a clear sense of the direction you want to go in and ticking them off one by one will allow you to track your progress and even gives you a confidence boast once you see how well you are doing.

You can buy a new notepad to write them down in and jot them down on the first page so it’s the first thing you see when you open it up. This may seem like a small way of helping you make the most of 2016 by when you see them more frequently you are more likely to want to tick them off your list…sneaky eh?

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 GET BETTER AT SOMETHING YOU ALREADY DO

Now, we know at New Years the norm is to take up a new hobby and of course, if there is something you really want to try then we would always say go for it! However, why not try getting better something you already know how to do. We all have that one thing we wish we better at whether it’s cooking, sewing, skiing or swimming, so this is the perfect opportunity to harness and sculpt your skills.

This may involve more practice in your spare time or going to a class to help get expert help and advice. Regardless of how you go about it, you’ll get a new found confidence and it will be easier to achieve more difficult goals as you will already have an idea of what you are doing…it’s a win-win.

running 2016

CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE

Whether it’s a route you always take on you morning run or somewhere you always go with the kids on a sunny afternoon, changing up your routine can open you up to a whole host of new experiences. It may be a change of scenery or more difficult terrain; whatever it is you will be able to add something a little new to your everyday.

If you don’t feel comfortable changing your routine in this way, why not change who it is you do it with. If you run by yourself, why not invite a friend along for a bit of company and motivation or if you usually go out with your bestie, try going it alone to see how you get on. Even small changes can make a difference so take a look at your normal routine and see how you can make a difference for the better.

outdoors 2016

 TAKE UP AN OUTDOOR ACTIVITY IF YOU ARE INDOORS-Y

It wouldn’t be in us to not mention taking up an outdoor activity to help you make the most of 2016. We know it’s easy to stay snuggled up indoors (we do it too) but nothing beats getting out and about.

Whether you class yourself as a thrill seeker or are a little more reserved, you’ll be able to find an outdoor activity that suits you and your skill level. Plus, you can go as part of a group, helping you to meet new friends with a similar interest or goal. You might even want to go on your own to help escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and have some time to reflect and gather your thoughts. For whatever reason you choose to do it, you’ll get a great sense of satisfaction when exploring the outdoors…and we aren’t just saying that.

2016 blog

 DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF

There is some amount of pressure that goes along with trying to achieve goals you set yourself. You have set them for a reason and it can be disheartening when you don’t reach them. But, it is important to remember that you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself as not only does it make it harder to reach your targets but it also sucks the fun right out of it. The whole point about our 5 ways to make the most of 2016 is so you can have fun while gaining some new experiences along the way.

As the 2015 door closes and the 2016 door opens, it is easy to get caught up the hype of setting yourself huge and sometimes unrealistic goals. With a new year comes a new start and outlook but you should bear in mind that it’s not all about making drastic changes. Sometimes it’s just about taking a realistic look to see if and where you would like to small changes that can lead to the most positive influence.

How do you plan on making the most of 2016? Let us know in the comments below.