End the year on a good note

If you’re having a hard time getting back into the groove of things, there are some simple steps you can take to get going again and finish off the remainder of the year on a strong note.

Dr. Alok Trivedi is a psychological performance and human behavior expert who is founder of the Aligned Performance Institute and author of the book ‘Chasing Success.’ He offers these eight tips:

- Have something to look forward to: The most successful people always have something to look forward to that keeps them grounded and moving forward. Maybe it’s a ski vacation this winter. Maybe it’s the annual family get together in the mountains. Perhaps it’s an upcoming cruise. Having something that you are genuinely excited about in the near future is a great motivator.

- Find the fulfilment: If you are not finding fulfilment in your work, it is time to find a different career path. The most successful people in any field usually love what they do and it doesn’t even feel like work to them. If you are genuinely unenthralled in what you are doing every single day, find something else. This usually starts with what you are truly passionate about and gives you complete satisfaction.

- Think of the money: It’s not selfish to be focused on money like some people believe. Money is a wonderful motivator and we need it to survive and to have life experiences. Money shouldn’t be your only reason for working hard, but it is definitely a driving factor in the equation and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

- One thing at a time: One of the biggest problems many people face is becoming overwhelmed. From our careers to our families, one of the biggest complaints of most people is feeling like they don’t have enough time in the day. While you might feel like multitasking is the best solution, the best way to get control of your time is to focus on and solve one problem before moving on to the next.

- Make time for yourself: Even with our busy lives, you must make time for yourself every day. Even just 30 minutes to disconnect from the world around you and do something that you really enjoy is extremely important to your mental well-being. It can be a hobby, exercising, vegging out on the couch, meditating, people watching or whatever it is that helps you feel relaxed and recharged.

- Don’t procrastinate: When something comes your way, it might be tempting to put it off until closer to the deadline and think of all the fun you had in the summer. Unfortunately, this usually leads to cramming, stress and a loss of quality. Do things as soon as you can because life always has a way of throwing unexpected surprises our way. Procrastination is a bad habit that takes away from productivity and results.

- Get around people you like: The most popular business advice is to get around people more successful than you so you can learn from them. More importantly, you need to get around people you truly have a genuine affection for in both your professional and personal life. When you are around people you like, you are happier, less anxious and depressed, and your life feels naturally aligned.

- Have more fun: Now that summer is over, most people dread going to work just like a lot of kids don’t look forward to being in school. Find ways to incorporate more fun into your life. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money and can be something as simple as playing a game you like or having a deep conversation on a topic close to your heart. Everyone needs to have fun in their life or they are missing the point of living.