I don’t know about you, but wishing people a Happy New Year this January 1^st felt a little bit fraudulent. British stiff upper lip is one thing, but nearly two years into this dratted pandemic I think more lips are wobbling lately as we all try to deal with the fact that we have to live our lives differently on an ongoing basis.

This Philosopher-In-Residence can’t give you a hard and fast end date to Covid-19 (if only!), but what I can draw upon is a classic Make Me A Plan-style practice to help focus your mind in enjoying what you can in the present.

January is often a month where we stew in our own juices and don’t feel like doing anything. This technique encourages small but meaningful steps to make sure you don’t descend too deep into hibernation. I’ve chosen to do something every day for January, but you can try it for a week, every other day or on whatever timescale suits your schedule. But do try it – it’s worth it!

Gather together slips of paper – one for each day you are going to try this for. On each slip, write down one thing that you’ve never done, or haven’t done for ages, or needs doing. Fold the slips up into small squares and put them in a spare tub or bag. Draw one out each day and try the activity.

Stuck for ideas? Here are my Top Ten favourites…

1. Learn a new word and use it.

2. Clean a road sign.

3. Sew on a button.

4. Phone a friend.

5. Do some jigsaw.

6. Try a new recipe.

7. Try a new hairstyle.

8. Make a present.

9. Look through old photos.

10. Do some weeding.

Next fortnight, as we continue into the new year, I’ll be musing On Newness. If you follow the advice from todays blog, you’ll be brimming with the excitement of having tried 14 new things by then, so the topic should be right up your street!

Please get in touch with any particular aspects of this topic you’d like me to write about.

In the meantime,

Happy Planning

PS If you want some other free tips for your business life, check out the Working Well blog – out fortnightly on Wednesdays, courtesy of Make Me A Plan’s Productivity Expert, Penny Le Kelly. Browse the latest edition here: https://www.makemeaplan.com/news/what-the-2022/