Ollie Aplin’s 5 tips for excelling in 2019

1. Make an New Year’s Un-resolution List

Rather than planning all the things you want to do or quit this year – make a list of all the things you love doing and to keep doing. Quitting is easy, finding time to do the things you love is harder.

2. Make a change in one person's life

I’m a big believer of ‘what goes around, comes around’. And I also believe that if we all helped just one person’s life we wouldn’t be in half the mess we’re in. Do something for someone else so that they have an awesome 2018. It could be supporting a charity once a month, volunteering, visiting an elderly neighbour — anything that helps!

3. Start the 1% challenge

Big goals are reached by taking small steps. People don’t sprint up Everest – they take their time, they plan, they prep and then walk it step by step. Pick one goal for the year, it could be keeping a journal, keeping fit, saving money – whatever it is, break it down into micro factors of steps you can take to achieve it. Every day work towards your goal by a factor of 1%. In 100 days you might just be on top of a mountain.

4. Look after yourself for you and those around you

This is kind of like the above but it’s more focused on your health and mental fitness. Make this the year where you change your relationship to stress, anxiety or anger. Use techniques like mediation, exercise and journaling to build a more resilient and emotionally stronger you.

5. Make a plan to do something scary

Every year I try to tackle a big fear of something. It’s healthy to get out of your comfort zone every now and then — and challenge yourself. It could be public speaking, a sky dive or something you’ve always avoided and put off — purely out of fear. Again remember the 1% challenge and take the necessary steps to get there.