There are all sorts of new beginnings. Some see Mondays or the first of the month as a time to start again. Others mark the new year as a time of resolution. We see new beginnings in weddings or anniversaries or times of transition. Beginnings are magical and hopeful. How though, do we keep the beautiful momentum going? Here are some tips:

Know yourself! Do body scans on a regular basis.  Do you know what you are thinking and feeling at this precise moment? Do you know where you are most effective and what your strengths are? Is your gut telling you something? Do you know what energizes you? These are the things that matter.

“Fulfillment isn’t found over the rainbow- it is found in the here and now. Today, I define success by the fluidity with which I transcend emotional land mines and choose joy and gratitude instead.” – RuPaul

Read! We can only better ourselves and our situations when we continue to grow in knowledge. If you run a business read about tax laws, management, safety, and cultural needs. If you are a parent read about mental health, nutrition, and time management. If you are a human, read about anything that improves your life and makes you feel joy.

“Reading is an act of civilization; it’s one of the greatest acts of civilization because it takes the free raw material of the mind and builds castles of possibilities.”  – Ben Okri

Practice! Applying what you learn and practicing it daily will give you habit and proficiency. New beginnings and progression do not happen by magic. Doing better and being better requires the work of new learning and practicing this obtained knowledge.

“I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true – hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don’t love something. Then don’t do it.”  – Ray Bradbury

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, & changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.” – Neil Gaiman