Two things go hand in hand: a new calendar year and the list of promises, resolutions and commitments we make in order to make THIS year the best ever. Intentions are good, ideas are plentiful and testimonies are showing up everywhere we turn. In your mind, the “how” makes sense. Set your alarm for 4:30 a.m., go to the gym until 6 a.m., shower, shampoo and shave, family breakfast, and everyone’s out the door before the clock strikes 7:57 a.m. By mid-month, you hit snooze four times, breakfast is a cold Pop-Tart and you’re texting forgiveness for running a tad late due to traffic. What more could you do so that this pattern isn’t repeated? You might be thinking you need less on your plate, less stress, less stuff—but what if it was just the opposite? What do you need more of so that you can have more joy, more control and more time?

  • Sleep. Seven hours of sleep is recommended. One of the best ways to make sure this happens is to set a bedtime for yourself. Avoid the temptation to stay up to squeeze in more work, TV or scrolling Instagram.
  • Smarter food choices. So many diets and fads from low carbs, high protein, no sugar, no white, no dairy, no gluten, high fat, points, calories … what do you eat? Food can get complicated. While deciding what’s right for your body, one thing is universal for all of us: Don’t eat for the moment, eat for the effect it will have later. And, drink water.
  • Exercise. You may think you’re too tired to go to the gym, yet you’ve experienced the “high” you get when you do go. Exercising doesn’t drain your energy, it replenishes it. Plus, it helps you get a better night’s sleep.
  • People. “You become like the five people you hang around with most.” Who’s talking in your ear? Are they energy-givers or energy-takers? If they drain the life out of you and you can’t break off the relationship, then seek out more people to counter the negativity. Seek more mentors, motivational posts, books or podcasts.
  • Energy. Emotions follow your lead. When you walk faster with your shoulders back, make eye contact and smile, you feel more energy than when you walk slowly looking down at the ground. Learn to sit on the edge of your seat during meetings and conferences versus sitting back in the chair. This one simple change will give you more energy for listening and absorbing information.

It’s natural to think about what we need less of—less stress, less stuff, less weight. Has this been your pattern of New Year’s goals in the past? What if you changed one word and focused on more. More for 2019. It’s that simple.