January means getting back to work and daily routines and the end of carefree vacation days. But it’s also a great opportunity to take stock, to shake up old habits that can hinder our professional and personal development, and start again on a healthier footing. But resolutions only work if they’re achievable! Because when you try to change everything too quickly and while you’re still rested, you run the risk of feeling guilty the moment fatigue sets in and your good resolutions begin to slip. Here are some truly achievable resolutions to help you make a healthier start to the year!

1. Ask the right questions before taking action

When things change—a new year, a new job, a move—it’s the perfect time for planting the seeds of new habits.

• Right question no.1: How much time do I allocate to each task? How much time do I set aside for myself?

Objective: measure the quality of your work rather than the hours you spend on a project. Learning to make the most of your time is essential for a less guilt-inducing approach to productivity. Accepting the benefits of procrastination, taking breaks, stopping when you get stuck on a point to come back to it later... Working well doesn’t mean tiring yourself out.

• Right question no.2: Why am I sometimes ‘not in the mood’?

Objective: learn how to manage negative thoughts. Our minds sometimes produce dark thoughts, but we don’t have to just put up with them and then blame ourselves for not thinking more positively. It is better to find out why we’re having those thoughts and develop systems to deal with them. Some people need to go out for a walk, others prefer to listen to music or a podcast. Everyone has their own way of coping, but it’s important to accept and acknowledge your emotions for what they are.

• Right question no.3: Where do you find your motivation?

Objective: to find your sources of motivation. A good way to change your attitude and behavior at work is to latch onto the details that motivate you in your personal life; those that fit best with your values. By pursuing projects that are meaningful because they have a positive impact and lead to a better society, you will be more motivated, and that will be reflected in your attitude and your performance. Then keep an eye out for the virtuous circle: you might well attract recognition and boost your motivation even more!

2. Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed before asking for help.

In the first episode of her podcast, Michelle Obama talks with her partner, former US President Barack Obama, and the two agree on one point: the idea that individual success has become outdated. We need to reconnect more with the idea that work is about ‘community’ and ‘sharing’, with all employees supporting each other and no one being assigned to a task entirely alone.

This requires, among other things:

• Fluid and transparent communication among colleagues and with management: Don’t hesitate, for example, to reach out to your co-workers when a project seems too challenging. Sometimes a quick chat at a coffee machine can spark the right ideas for a strategy and objectives. Don’t wait for your manager to suggest a performance review: ask them about the strengths and weaknesses of your work! You can also find out about employee representative bodies and register for meetings with your company’s diversity network—a great way to develop new skills and meet people outside your comfort zone.

• Adaptability: You know that co-worker who seems distant or too different from you? Try a new approach and make contact with them: you’ll definitely find out that they have more qualities than you thought, and you’ll learn something more about yourself as well! Get involved in a project that doesn’t align with your core expertise. You can develop your skills, find support from co-workers you don’t usually interact with, and acquire new knowledge.

3. Set aside time for learning every day

It’s impossible to know everything. And that’s a good thing, because it means there are still things to learn. As mindsets change, the world is opening up to new practices and new cultures. Understanding transformations in societies (behavioral, digital, psychological, governmental, political, intimate, etc.) is important not only for your personal life, but also at work.

A more informed and open mind is better able to adapt to different environments and develop soft skills. Access to content on the company intranet, as well as the vast internet, provides an ocean of information on all sorts of topics. You can start a new podcast on a little-known topic or one that doesn’t seem to interest you at first glance, follow an online conference, read a book from a country you’ve never visited, try cuisine from a distant culture, etc. Just carve out a little time for your mind at least once a week!

4. Do something new

City, countryside, green spaces, alternative venues: each has its own range of sporting and social activities, all there to be discovered. In rural areas, some community associations open the door to immersive, hands-on experiences on farms. Cities offer a huge choice; from aerial silks to hula-hoop classes, there are endless ways to get some exercise outside the confines of traditional sports. If you don’t have time to go to a gym, why not download a sports coaching app (e.g. 7 Minute Workout or Daily Yoga) to train at home or during your lunch break! Applications like Meetup.com or Facebook Local are packed with information about events near you. Take the plunge!

5. Accept your limitations and acknowledge your right to make mistakes

For a truly guilt-free start to the year, we couldn’t miss one last, very important point: the right to make mistakes. We are first and foremost human beings with limitations as well as qualities. To identify your weaknesses, make a list of the skills you would like to develop and why. If this upskilling is realistic over the coming months, talk about it with your colleagues or manager. However, if you feel that you’re not quite ready to make a move on the point right away, it is perfectly acceptable to acknowledge your ‘weakness’ while valuing your other qualities. Also make a list where you replace each ‘weakness’ with a skill that you bring to your company and your team: collaborative work is about give and take, and everyone should contribute how they can!