New year a great chance to renew TAKE TWO

WE hear it all too often in all competitive arenas. In football matches, in working environments, even in relationships.

But at this cumbersome period at the beginning of the new year, it seems to be lost amid celebrations and reflections.

I am not disputing the significance of taking time to think about what went well in the past 12 months or possibly critique what could have been done better.

I am not undermining the importance of embracing the success of a significant other or to possibly reflect on the loss of a loved one.

However, as we roll into another year, there can be a tendency to release the shackles before being faced by an opportunity for a fresh beginning, where our misdoings will be forgiven, so long as we make meaningless promises that we inevitably forget in subsequent months.

For many of us, being gifted a new year’s resolutions can be like apologising to your parents as a child: despite what sins you may have committed, you can always be forgiven, so long as you really, really mean it … only to duplicate your actions the following year without consequence. This time round, consider giving the trivial, thoughtless resolution a flick. Or rather, a trade. Trade the monotonous resolution for ongoing momentum. Kick out complacency and inject focus, resilience and honesty. And don’t mistake me, this is far easier to preach than it is to practise. The easy option is to fall back on what has not led to capitulation in previous years: enjoy yourself now, pull yourself together in the subsequent days.

I am not trying to insist that such behaviour must occur, but rather give a polite suggestion.

Don’t see it as a burden, but an opportunity.

Think about what you have accomplished or mastered in recent months and try to capitalise on it, because too often we tend see the end of the year as the final siren, stumps, and game-set-match.

Reflection is still warranted, but it can be done constructively so as to build on the work that you achieved.

See your hard work, and raise it one.

I guarantee the ongoing headache in this month will not thump as loud.