Time for a fresh start

When we moved into September, we saw the start of a new year for schools and now in October for university students. In fact, for many businesses, there is more of a new year feel around September/October than there is in January. That’s why it is often a great time for a fresh start. 

While every day is a chance for a fresh start, sometimes we get stuck in our ways or we lose our mojo. Things happen in life or business that make us want to begin something again.

I’m personally always restarting my diet and healthy habits. However, rather than thinking I’ve failed, it’s nice to know I can start again. There might be a V.2 a V2.1 and even a V2.2 but the most important thing, is that I never quit. In fact, a new beginning can often be a way of learning from mistakes and taking stock of lessons learnt from a different vantage point. 

So, here are a few simple steps for you to follow if you ever feel down or feel the need for a fresh start yourself.

1. Analyse what happened

Start by looking back at what went wrong or what didn’t go to plan. What got you in this place now and why do you feel the need to start again?

When you are reviewing what happened, look at what you could have controlled or what you could control next time. There is no point in trying to start something fresh if there are external factors you cannot control that will hinder you again.

Finally, when you’re looking back, don’t beat yourself up about it!

2. Look at what you have learned

This is a really important step as it makes the need for a fresh start all the more worthwhile. What have you learned from your mistake or from the event and what are the things you can do better next time?

There will have been things that worked, and others that didn’t. Either way, it’s all useful learning! 

3. What can you do differently next time?

As well as trying to improve what we did last time, there might also be things you want to approach entirely differently. If Facebook ads didn’t work for your business, could you try Instagram instead? If you didn’t get any sign ups from that landing page, what can you change?

Explore what might work better – you might find yourself with two or three new approaches. Don’t be afraid of trying them and don’t be afraid of them not working.

4. Stay positive

Even if what happened was your fault, learn from it and move on. Don’t wallow as this will cause you to spiral and you will find it difficult to complete these steps if you are not in the right frame of mind.

Besides, we need to make mistakes to learn and grow. Believe things can be done differently next time and spend time learning lessons from mistakes – this will help you find the positivity in your situation.

Remember: failure is an event, not a person! This is just something that happened, it doesn’t define you.

5. Make an action plan

This is the best step of all – a plan of action makes us feel we have already achieved something before we have even begun.

So, look at what your goal is and write down the actions you need to take to achieve it. These goals need to be SMART to enable you to work through them and feel a sense of accomplishment. Break down large steps into even smaller ones – it doesn’t matter if you have a long list of things to do, you will feel brilliant when you are working through them and ticking them off. 

By the time you are making an action plan about how you will achieve something, you will come to realise that making mistakes can often be more valuable than getting something right first time. 

We are human and no one is perfect. Having perfect intentions is far better; allowing yourself a fresh start every now and then will keep you on track and actually help you grow, in both your personal and work lives.