10 Promises You Should Make to Yourself in 2016

2016 is upon us and it’s time to start making those New Year’s Resolutions! It is important to be constantly upgrading to a better version of you and the New Year is a nice jumping off point for it.

I don’t believe that the New Year should be the only time of year to make changes in your life, but it sure is a good time and place to hit the “Refresh” button and make adjustments to certain aspects of your life.

In an effort to make 2016 the best year yet, I’ve made a list of promises that everyone could benefit from making to him or herself this next year. Let’s go 2016!

IN 2016 I PROMISE TO...

1. Make ME Happy First

Gone are the days of putting other people’s happiness first. If there is one thing that 2015 taught me, it is that you cannot make other people happy until you are happy first.

If making myself happy means staying home instead of going out, then I’m going to do it! If making me happy first means getting rid of negative people in my life, then it is time to say ‘goodbye’. Cleansing your life of relationships that don’t serve you can be a huge first step to finding happiness!

2. Be More Decisive

No more tiptoeing around what I want for dinner or what task to accomplish first. It is time to be more decisive and make decisions quicker. Yes or No. Now or Never. And once you make a decision, stand confident in it. *Hanging out with people who are more decisive is a great way to enforce this new habit.

3. Say “NO” More

Warren Buffett once said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

How is anyone expected to keep a focus on what matters when you have a ton of different things competing for your attention? Simplify, simplify, simplify!

In order to keep my focus on the projects and things that matter next year, I am vowing to say no to things that do not serve me and move me in the direction of my dreams. We’ve got to learn that we can’t do it all.

4. Go Somewhere I Haven’t Been

It is so important to continuously gain new perspectives on the world. What better way to do it than going somewhere new?!

Going somewhere new doesn’t have to be a new country or a new city. It could be as simple as a new route home from work. Just make sure you get out of your comfort zone so you can experience something different.

5. Take Care of Mind, Body, and Soul

This is so much more than just shedding those last few holiday pounds. This one is about taking care of the entire self—mind, body, and soul.

Vow to take care of the mind by being positive, being kind to yourself with good thoughts, and constantly learning new things.

Vow to take care of the body by nourishing it with clean foods, working out consistently, and indulging in beauty regimens that make you feel and look better.

Vow to take care of the soul by feeding it with things that are positive and true to yourself, meditating consistently, and spreading love and positive energy.

6. Say “Yes” When I Mean YES and “No” When I Mean NO

It is time to stop making choices based on what we “should do” or what makes other people happy. I am very guilty of this one and have made choices based on what I thought would make my loved ones happy instead of what I truly wanted.

It is time to start standing up for yourself and saying “Yes” when you mean YES and “No” when you mean NO. Enough of trying to please other people!

7. Stop Feeling Guilty for What Makes Me Happy

Stand tall and confident in the decisions you make and stop feeling guilty for things that truly make you happy. It may sound selfish, but you are not responsible for other people’s feelings. It is time to stop feeling bad for things that make you feel great.

You decided to take a night off from going out in order to stay home and pamper yourself, and now your friend is mad... SO WHAT?! You want to eat that piece of chocolate, but it doesn't adhere to your "diet." EAT IT! In the long run, your happiness means much more than pleasing other people. Promise to take care of you first.

8. Say “YES” to More Adventure

Before embarking on any adventure or fun activity, you should always ask yourself, “Am I going to look back and wish I had done this one day? Or will I look back and laugh at the story?”

It is time to indulge on more adventures and say, “YES!” when it comes knocking at your door. Just think of all the fun you will have and the stories you will be able to tell when you treat yourself to more adventure...

9. Spread More Positivity

Smile more. Be thankful. Compliment a stranger. Laugh harder. Make a daily list of things you are grateful for. Think positively.

If we all did this—even just a little bit—every day, the world would be an even more beautiful place.

10. Dream BIG

If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough. Dream bigger than you have, believe that it will happen, and take the steps you can to move towards that dream. It will happen. Dreams really do come true.

Set specific/time-bound goals, replace negative thoughts with positive ones, and lean into your fears. When you lead a positive life, your dreams are closer than you think.

What are you vowing to do differently in the new year? Any tips for things you did this year that you will repeat next year?

PS - See my favorite travel things that I can't live without here!