Start the New Year with a New Approach

I often hear people say, ‘I am what I am’ or ‘I am too old to change’ or ‘life is what it is and there is nothing I can do about it’. Yes, people often think that they are stuck in their jobs, their relationships or their life in general, and they accept this as their destiny without questioning.

Let’s start the New Year by leaving these narratives behind and developing the New you – the ‘you’ that stands for happiness, fulfillment, power, inspiration… the you that you want to be.

In one of my past blogs Shining like a star. The power of personal branding’, I already talked about creating your own brand. I explained why it is important for your career and how it helps you to find your calling in life. I don’t want to repeat what I said at that time, but I would like to remind you of your personal power and why this coming year can be so very different from all the others. Let’s declare 2014 the starting point for a new approach to business, relationships and life in general. Imagine there was no past and you were just born, but with wisdom and experience in an adult body. This is your first month on earth and you can do what you want, where you want and in any manner as long as it does not violate the law or anybody else’s rights and dignity. Isn’t that an inspiring thought? Starting all over again with the wisdom of the past but the power of the now.

Let me give you some very pragmatic examples of what I am talking about. We live our lives in certain patterns with our routines, habits, likes and dislikes. We don’t even question those patterns, no matter if we like them or not. We just go with the flow and that’s it. Now, I want you to begin questioning patterns. Start with the ones you feel are preventing you from being happy.

For example: If you hate your alarm clock in the morning waking you up with that nasty sound reminding you of your duties, change it. Set your alarm even 15 minutes earlier (find one with a gentle sound, or music) and start the day with something fun like yoga, meditation, taking a bath etc. The important thing is that you start the day with something you really like; make starting the day a pleasure. You are still getting up for work, but the approach is different and so much more delightful.

 

 

Another example: You feel stuck at work, waiting for an overdue promotion or pay raise and you don’t know how to change that. This is far more complex than the first example, but again change the approach. Instead of waiting for something to happen, make it happen. Initiate a conversation with your boss, test your personal market value – maybe it is time to move on. Turn stagnation into movement and don’t be afraid. It is all going to be just fine.

This leads me to a very important aspect of developing new approaches. You must believe in yourself and trust that everything is just going to be fine. Positive affirmations will help you to initiate positive changes. Leave fear behind and trust that things will be ok. I know that this is easier said than done, but it is possible. We all know people who turned their lives around just by deciding to put an end to their old lives.

There is no reason why you cannot change your approach to life and make this coming year the year of a new beginning. The most important steps to achieve this are:

  • Understand your current life patterns
  • Find out what makes you happy and what doesn’t
  • Turn stagnation into movement and take action
  • Make positive affirmations
  • Trust that everything will be just fine
  • Enjoy the ride

We all face hardships, economic worries, diseases and broken hearts but there is more in life. As long as you believe in yourself and in your power to live your life ‘your way’, there is nothing that can prevent you from doing so. You might stumble or feel disoriented or scared at times, but these are just small bumps in the road that might slow you down but will never change your purpose and sense of direction.

I wish you all a wonderful 2014 filled with love, health and many new approaches. Please share your thoughts with me and let me know if I can be of service for you.

Be a woman and act like one.

About Hertha Wolff-Arend

I am a business coach and writer located in Paso Robles, California. I am the author of the book Be a woman and act like one. Succeeding in business and life’’ and I write a blog for women with the same title. I give motivational speeches and offer leadership and personality trainings to women. I also work with business owners and managers to support them in their leadership skills and personal development. As a strategic consultant, I also help companies with their communication and marketing strategy. Born and raised in Germany, I spent most of my adult life in Europe. I have a German university degree in languages and economics and I worked for many years in the advertising industry as one of the few female managing directors in Germany for major international advertising agencies such as Young&Rubicam, TBWA and Bates. My client list consisted of mainly blue chip clients, where I was responsible for their communications strategies and the development and execution of the advertising concepts. Just to name a few clients: Lufthansa, Danone, Kraft Foods, Bosch, Singapore Airlines, Ericsson, Campbells etc. In 2004 I relocated with my husband and son to California. I graduated from New Venture West in San Francisco as a Certified Integral Coach and started my own coaching practice in 2007. I am fluent in German and English and have conversational skills in Spanish. Aside from my dedication to work and family, I am a passionate dressage rider. I am devoted to supporting women in business, with a focus on women in the lower and middle management who are aiming at a career in the higher ranks or who want to develop their own business.
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One Response to Start the New Year with a New Approach

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