Six-point method to beat the January Blues and take on the new year by West Midlands life coach

The Tettenhall based 60-year-old has never been busier since setting up his business two years ago – so much so he says his website is a 'work in progress' which he needs to get around to finishing.

But bearing in mind he was at the forefront of developing working practices through the then developing digital age 20 years ago and has worked extensively in management with government agencies and blue chip clients Lloyd's of London and Holiday Inn, adaptable is a strong word in his vocabulary.

Michael firmly believes in the validity of the so-called January blues, when the shock of going back to work, often arriving and leaving in the dark, can have a big affect on people. Or the realisation that sometimes two weeks of relaxing and in some cases partying, certainly over indulging, is over. Often the next holiday seems a long time away and the pressure to either change something or achieve something just because the year has changed, is great.

His advice overall if you are to set targets such as weight loss, promotion or to make more money (three of the often quoted goals in January) is to be realistic, be kind to yourself and make sure they are achievable,with a reward at the end of them.

For example he himself took three years to give up smoking, without setting a deadline. and when he did rewarded himself with the money he would save by buying IT equipment for his business.

So here are Michael's top six tips if you are feeling a bit down or restless or wondering 'what if' at the start of the year.

Visualise what you want to achieve and make sure it is what you actually want.

For example a lot of gyms see a peak in membership applications in January, with experts saying the average time they keep that up is three months. Michael said you should visualise what you will look like when you lose the amount of weight you want to and whether it will make you feel better about yourself.

Is your goal achievable?

Going back to weight loss, the average goal is two pounds a week – famously former West Bromwich MP and deputy Labour Leader Tom Watson lost seven stone in just over a year and reversed his type two diabetes. But it took the diagnosis to prompt him after he had spent 25 years battling with his diet and lack of exercise.

Enjoy the journey

Michael says it is no good making yourself miserable as you strive to achieve the goals you have set. For example there is no correlation between business success and large salaries and happiness. Experts say the so called happiness index in terms of earning money and being able to enjoy it by not working all hours for it is £30k per year in the West Midlands. Any more and generally, it becomes sometimes too time consuming or stressful to enjoy it.

Allow for life events

Time constraints due to increased family commitments, perhaps a new born child or a redundancy in which you may have to re-assess your financial position, these can either be unexpected or planned. Whichever they are it is likely you may have to adjust your goals and his advice is don't be too hard on yourself if you do have to.

Milestones

Allow yourself to celebrate along the way when you achieve something you have set out to do, not just at the end of the journey. Always reward yourself or celebrate when you get there, whether that be a weekend away, a meal out or buying yourself a present when you have saved money or got a pay rise. After all you have earned it.

Adjustments

If something is not achievable then don't be afraid to adjust the target or the time frame to achieve it.

Michael, who has a masters in psychology said: "I would say in short, be kind to yourself because people often aren't, especially when they may feel under pressure from other people, the media or some perceived logic to make changes in the new year when they might not be necessary.

"Often there is little you can do about feeling low in January, in money terms is well known that people have to make their money stretch longer from a December pay packet to one in January and are likely to have spent more on Christmas and in between so have little free cash after the festive period.

"The weather never seems to be warm or even dry in January and that can have a profound affect on people's moods as well as the adjustment from the environment being at home for an extended period to the daily commute and being back at the office.

"But these are all things that can be overcome and it doesn't have to be through a new diet, gym membership or new job at the start of the year – those t are obtainable as goals any time but whenever it is it is all about making sure it is what you want and whether it is reasonably achievable."

For more information on life coaching and personal targets e-mail [email protected] or visit his website at www.learningneverends.co.uk