My new calendar is shiny and beautiful, from a science communication group called Kurzgesagt. (a fabulous YouTube channel). But it is just a graphical representation of another year, and a tool to help me track and organise my time.

Therefore, the concept “new year, new you” is fundamentally pointless, since all you have done is turn a page. Subsequently expecting old habits, entrenched patterns and routines to change overnight will lead to probable failure, disappointment and for some, loss of internal esteem (“I have failed at this task therefore I am a failure”). Expecting to lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less, learn a language and read a book a week, all at the same time, is likely to prove impossible, especially when turning off the TV and getting to bed on time is a challenge.

I propose we drop this charade. Rather than starting afresh on a specific day, especially one often immediately following a period of excess, we would perhaps benefit from spending time first reflecting on what we want the outcomes to be, then look at what will lead to those, then pick a specific single goal and work towards that.

To help with this, I will be doing a sequence of posts covering simple tools and techniques that may help you first assess your goals, then progress towards achieving them.

Of course, none of this is specific medical or theraputic advice, it is all general, and if you feel that you need professional support, then please seek it, either via your GP, or the appropriate trained expert.