After celebrating the Christmas period with family and friends, Team VIVA! hasn’t wasted any time getting back into the swing of things for 2014.

Having spent the holidays soaking up vitamin D, our batteries are now positively recharged in preparation for tackling this year.

A new year brings new energy and the opportunity to start afresh. Here at VIVA!, we’re excited about 2014 and the load of challenges and fun in store,” said VIVA!s Principal, Kirsten Bruce.

Singer-songwriter, Brad Paisley, heralds Kirsten’s sentiments, stating “[News Year’s Day] is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.”

The start of a new year presents individuals with the opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments or otherwise of previous years, and to set New Year’s resolutions or goals.

Here are our six tips in a PR format to help you create inspiring New Year’s resolutions:

1. Create an overview.
Reflect on what worked for you in 2013 and what might no longer serve you. Build on those foundations and identify items that you’d like to change.

2. Identify your objectives.
What would you like to achieve this year? Would you like to start a new hobby, a course, secure a promotion or get in touch with a University friend again? Outline your aims and objectives for 2014, remembering to keep them realistic, achievable and fun.

3. Stick to your values.
Be authentic and make sure your resolutions come from you. If your New Year’s resolutions are grounded in passion and interest they’re most likely to succeed.

4. KISS (Keep it simple, stupid).
Don’t make too many resolutions and keep to the point. Make fewer resolutions, but build your habits gradually. The infamous Australian obesity campaign ‘Swap it, don’t stop it’ shows that personal change doesn’t need to be drastic. Whatever your resolutions are, stick to just a few and you’ll be be more likely to achieve your goals this year.

5. Make your goals measurable.
Keep track of how you’re progressing with your goals each month or quarter. Making a resolution measurable helps to identify when you’ve been successful.

6. Evaluate.
At the end of this year, don’t forget to reflect on and evaluate the success of your goals. Have you addressed your New Year’s resolutions? Finish the year on a positive note. Write down all the smaller and large things that worked well for you and for which you are grateful. You’ll be surprised how long your list will be!

On behalf of VIVA! Communications, we wish you a happy, healthy and successful New Year. May all of your New Year’s resolutions come to fruition and 2014 is your best year yet!