1. Be prepared for a good year ahead
Make your to-do list. Evernote is the perfect app to keep you organized. See your doctor for your annual check up and get your teeth cleaned.
2. Get moving!
Walk 10,000 steps a day. Stepz is a great tool that counts your steps each day.
3. Pay attention to your breathing when you feel stress
Breathe shallow. Breathe deeper. Place your hands over your heart and your stomach to relax. Headspace: Guided Meditation and Mindfulness is a very useful stress-management tool.
4. Sleep better
No iPad in bed and no TV in bed. Try taking an epsom salts bath and reading a book. With the Bedtime feature in iOS 10, you can set what time you want to go to bed and when you want to wake up.
5. Meditate
I know it sounds weird, but if you have an iPhone, plug in your ear buds & look up videos on ANY guided meditation you would like. If your mind is stressed, look up binaural beats. If you’re mad, look up peaceful meditations or mindful meditations. Weight loss, co-creating, loving yourself…all these meditations are being carried with you already, so use them to support your mind and body through meditation.
6. Plan a vacation!
January is the perfect time to evaluate the next 12 months. Tripit will keep all tickets, reservations, and itineraries in one place. If a BIG vacation is NOT in the cards, take off Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to stay in bed! It is good for you to refill your well.
7. Try a facial. Yes, men too!
Keeping up with your skin is important for both men and women! Many facials are available on Groupon, and you can read Yelp reviews. Too many male readers’ clogged pores, stray hairs, nose hairs, wrinkles, and unkept eyebrows need tending. You will look and feel better!
8. Use sunscreen even in un-sunny places
Neova repairs UVA damage.
9. If you’re going to take a vitamin, take D3 (see your doctor for a test)
Studies show cancer and many avoidable illnesses are linked to low levels of vitamin D3.
10. Love
Yep, I said it! Reach out, risk a little if there is someone you love. Say “I love you” out loud. It is good to get this well-kept secret out of hiding.
11. Review your finances from 2016
Mint is a fantastic tool for self-budgeting. I reduced my expenses in 6 ways:
- Clothes
- Accessories
- I sold art that I no longer loved
- I challenged my real estate tax bill (you will need to hire a lawyer)
- I checked my insurance policies
- I used Bloomingdales rewards points. Saks, Neiman’s, and Bergdorf have them, too
12. Declutter your living space!
Give away, throw away, or sell unused items. Any which way is a win/win situation.
13. Write one thank you note a month
NOT AN EMAIL. A CARD PLEASE! Put a stamp on it!
14. Pay it forward
Does someone need help? Can you be of service? Can you donate clothes or time? Lend a hand! Use GiveGab to manage your cause, or sync up your steps with charitable giving with Charity Miles.
15. Read a book, listen to a podcast, or make an appointment to learn something new and share…
Passing on a learned experience can teach or enlighten another human being.
16. Tell a joke…just one!
It makes you charming.
17. Relax…
If you’re reading my blog, you’re probably someone who is doing way more than someone who is NOT reading “17 Tips for 2017.”
Please pass on this blog post to inspire.
-Randy
