We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, Trendy Mami may collect a share of sales or other compensations from the links on this page.
–
Despite what some people may say, 2017 was the year of women. I was filled with joy seeing so many smart, talented, and beautiful women break barriers and have their voices heard. In 2018, I see that movement only getting stronger.
There’s no reason why you can’t be the boss of your own life. Here’s how you can be one of the strongest women the world has ever known in 2018.
Reflect on 2017
Some things went great in 2017, others not so much. Figure out what worked and what didn’t. Is your job draining you? Negotiate a better position or start looking for a new one. Is a friendship robbing you of your happiness? Leave it. Failed to keep a promise you made in 2017? Find out what made you lose focus. Working on goals takes time, so don’t fret if you didn’t accomplish what you set out to do in 2017. It’s the pain of not making a plan that should bother you.
Brainstorm your big, long-term goals
The start of every goal is thinking big, be it weight loss, reading more, or becoming more confident. Be sure to push your comfort zone and do something that scares you.
Narrow your goals down and be specific
Sure you can resolve to lose weight, but what does that really mean? And what does that entail? Start with small, specific goals to incrementally work your way toward the big ones.
Get active
Study after study shows good physical health is directly related to good mental health and well-being. Resolve to work out at least four times a week. Be it weights, cardio, or a bit of both, any workout done at least three times a week will improve productivity and mental health.
Say no
Although you might be Superwoman, you still only have 24 hours a day. That means you have to be selfish with your time. It’s easier than you think, and it’s also less inconsiderate than you think. Once you get over the guilt of saying no to someone, you’ll figure out when to use it appropriately. Say no when you don’t want to do something, if you can’t fit it on your schedule, or you think someone else is better suited at handling the task. Give as little excuse as possible so the other party doesn’t have the option of asking you to do the same task again.
But say yes sometimes, too
Remember: there is power in parity. Balance out a no with a yes every once in a while. Say yes to things that scare you. It could be as simple as riding a roller coaster or eating a new food, or as complex as volunteering to present at your next meeting. Your comfort zone is arbitrary, and widening and testing it will make you more confident, more assertive, and more accomplished.
Expand your networking circle
Ever hear the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know?” Nowhere is this more true than the corporate ladder. Get in touch with people who either have the career you want or work in the industry you want to work in. Cold call them. Cold email them. Take them out to lunch. Get their business card. And always make sure you follow up and touch base with them on a regular basis. Your next recommendation, job, or promotion could be only an email away!
Be grateful
When you’re striving to be the part of the best women you can be, it’s easy to look back and be unsatisfied with your current situation. But the key to making strides in your life is to be grateful for what you already have. Start a gratefulness journal where you write at least five things you are grateful for every day, and make sure to reflect on them when you’re done writing. I keep my list on my phone, and I’ve been writing in it daily for over a year and a half now!
Wake up early
Resolve to wake up at least one hour earlier than you did last year. Not only will this fix your sleep schedule, but you’ll find more time to finish tasks, meditate, or work on your goals. It might sound like a lot, but you have no idea how much work you can pack into just one hour. I moved my wake up time from a little after 7:30 to 6:30, and it gave me a lot more time to actually sit down and eat breakfast. That gave me a lot more energy to start my day.
Make your bed
I know I might sound like your mother, and you’re an adult now, but this menial task holds so much more than meets the eye. Fixing your bed in the morning will make both a visual and mental impact to start your day. Once you see how clean and tidy your bed is, you’ll be motivated to accomplish more tasks. Cooking breakfast or going on a morning run sound a lot more appealing now that you’ve gotten the first task of the day out of the way. Carry this momentum into the rest of the day and see how productive you become.
Do you have any more tips on how to be successful? Leave a comment below!
