“Thank U, Next”: 5 Things to Leave in 2018
As 2018 comes to a close, we are all reflecting on how we can make the upcoming year better. From bad habits to toxic attitudes, now is the perfect time to put some thought into the things that may be blocking you from achieving your goals. Here are five things that should definitely be left in 2018 for a more prosperous 2019.
- Comparing Yourself to Other People
Everyone has smartphones and everyone is using them… literally all the time. Because of this, we are constantly being bombarded by images of people having the time of their lives on social media. Partner that with real life where every catch-up former classmate can become a contest of who has the better life. Let’s do ourselves a favor and leave these interactions in 2018. In 2019, quit comparing yourself to other people and focus on making your personal life better! If you’re living YOUR best life, why does it matter what anyone else is doing?
2. Playing Small
“Your playing small does not serve the world.There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.” – Marianne Williamson
While being humble is a virtue, underestimating yourself is detrimental. In 2019, it’s time to let your light shine. There’s a fine line between being polite and self sabotage. Be humble but be confident. Know what you bring to table and speak up for yourself and your ideas. The world needs more people who are willing to trust their intuition, so stop playing small and tap into your inner courage!
3. Making Excuses
It’s impossible to improve anything if you won’t let yourself start making improvements. While rolling up your sleeves and working on change can be intimidating, basking in excuses is even worse. As Riskology brilliantly stated in this article, excuses breed more failure. Constantly blaming others for shortcomings that are obviously your fault is a surefire way to never accomplish anything worthwhile. In 2019, stop making excuses and revolutionize your life by taking responsibility!
4. Always Saying Yes
If you want 2019 to be your year, you have to focus on doing the things that push you closer to your goals. Dara Blane told Kristin Wong of the New York Times, “We live in a ‘yes’ culture, where it’s expected that the person who is going to get ahead is the go-getter who says yes to everything that comes their way. It’s when people learn to say no that I’ve really seen their careers take off.” Your time is valuable, so learning how to say no will make you noticeably more productive. There’s nothing wrong with asking yourself the forbidden question, “What’s in it for me?” This doesn’t mean you can’t do favors, but 2019 should be a year dedicated to choosing to prioritize the things that matter for your goals.
5. Looking for Shortcuts
The only sure fire way to achieving better accomplishments is eliminating the idea of shortcuts from your mind. If you aren’t willing to put in the effort, don’t expect to reap the benefits. 2019 needs to be a year of purpose, dedication, and yes, hard work. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get it done. As you prepare for 2019, think about everything you’ve learned and what you want to do better. Then smile at the calendar and quote modern-Day Philosopher and truth-teller Ariana Grande in the hit tune “Thank u, next”.
