“Life makes more and better sense in 2018, Capricorn. A clearer perspective will make it much easier to achieve your goals and dreams.” –  Capricorn Yearly Horoscope 

Hello, my love! How was your holiday break? I am back from a long and well-deserved holiday break. As T.S. Eliot said, “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice.” A new year is a new beginning for everyone. It’s an opportunity to change, achieve new heights and improve your life. Like many people, I also believe in stars, eclipses, conjunctions, and predictions – this is the time to read your yearly horoscope predictions. And even if you don’t believe in stars, it’s time for a fresh start to make 2018 a successful year.

But I’d like to tell you one thing that has the potential to transform your life quickly. Even though it is not written in any horoscope or predictions of 2018, it has the power to change your life forever.

It is important to focus on what you want to gain and forget what you might lose. Here are some extremely common excuses.

1- I can’t change my career now – I am 40 years old and it’s too late.
2- I am so unhappy in my marriage, but I can’t break this relationship as it will affect my kids.
3- I want to undergo a cosmetic procedure but I am scared of being called superficial.
4- I want to start my own business but I don’t know-how or skills to take a big step

Have you heard any of this before? I bet yes!

The problem is that we have started playing safe. We focus on what we have to lose than on what we might gain. Chances are fear is holding you back from taking steps towards your happiness but you are only focusing on prevention. You want to hold on to what you’ve already got and played safe. This may sound legitimate but in the end, it is only you who suffer.

“No more excuses.”

This week I watched The Shawshank Redemption for the 10th time. I have got an unhealthy relationship with this movie because it is a movie about integrity, persistence, hope, friendship, and skills. Andy Dufresne had specific goals in mind and he had the vision to achieve it with perseverance and passion. Without these goals, I am sure Andy would have given up in the jail. Watch this movie, if you want some serious inspiration.

“Get busy living, or get busy dying.” – The Shawshank Redemption

Do you have specific goals? Do you have the vision to achieve your dream?

Let’s take a moment and focus on “excuses” that hold you back in taking decisions in life and achieving your dreams.

Fear #1: I can’t change my career now – I am 40 years old and it’s too late.

Reality: You need to connect with new opportunities in order to revise your career. Identify your top-skills, decide how you can leverage those skills, move towards the direction that excites you the most and network extensively to change your career. You don’t have to let go all your experience and start from the scratch. Be optimistic!

Fear #2- I am so unhappy in my marriage, but I can’t break this relationship.

Reality: Relationships require a lot of physical, mental and emotional investment. Your relationship has a direct impact on your decisions and life. If your marriage starts affecting your mental health and well-being, then it is time to let-go your relationship. And a good divorce is better than bad marriage for kids. If you are not happy then you cannot give happiness to your loved ones.

Fear #3: I want to undergo a cosmetic procedure but I am scared of being called superficial.

Reality: When people think of plastic surgery, they often imagine a woman with stretched, unnatural face with lip fillers or with two round breasts. The Internet is flooded with pictures of women whose plastic surgery has gone wrong. The decision to undergo plastic surgery or a cosmetic procedure is not taken lightly. But someone with a crooked teeth or nose is also not taken lightly. If you are considering a cosmetic procedure it is important to be clear why you want to have a procedure and what are your expectations for the procedure. It is important to fully understand the procedure, have realistic expectations and find a plastic surgeon who is certified and is highly recommended. Stop judging people who go for cosmetic surgery. Get all information on Plastic Surgery in Toronto before undergoing any surgery.

Fear #4: I want to start my own business and quit my corporate job but I don’t know-how or skills to take a big step

Reality: If you have the drive to start a new business coupled with a passion to succeed it then you don’t need a miracle to make it work. Leverage on your passion and experience, learn new skills, study the market and follow the basic steps of starting a new venture. You don’t have to start a business in a niche outside of your comfort zone. In this era of technology, learning new skills is not difficult. Learn something new every day.

2018 can truly be an amazing year if you stop making excuses, stop judging people and start accepting what you really want. Start this year with some Motivation and keep a check on motivation killers, here.

Wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Lots of love!

xoxo

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post brought to you by  plasticsurgeryinfo.ca. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience