Take a deep breath.

Yes, another (if you were here on Monday). Starting a new anything is stressful and uncomfortable. Here’s an idea or two for you…

One step at a time. One thing at a time.

I know you are feeling pushed to do all sorts of things all at once. Don’t. Pick one thing you want to do and do it for a while. Give it a few days or a few weeks and see how things go. If you try to do lots of things at the same time you will become frustrated and overwhelmed and inclined to walk away from all you want to do.

Be gentle with yourself. You’ve earned it.

Before you embark on that ritual ‘Kick Me’ game that everyone seems to want to start at the new year, STOP. Right now.

Be honest with yourself. Are you doing your best? Then you are doing enough. You can worry about improvement when you have been doing the new stuff for a while. You need time to learn and get used to the things you are trying to do. You also need time to learn if the new things are not what you want to be doing. Look for alternatives that will get you where you want to go.

Decide what ‘Perfect’ means to you.

You might be surprised to discover that the way you define perfection is not the same as the way others define it.

Be prepared

Be prepared to be surprised (both good and bad). Be prepared to be happy and sad and all sorts of things in between. Be prepared to learn new things and unlearn old things. Be prepared to be happy. Better, choose to be happy.

Above all, remember to take one step at a time.