The start of a new year is for me always a time to clear out – clear out wardrobes and drawers of clothes I haven’t worn in the last year, storage areas that have been stuffed full of things that “might just come in useful,” as well as my brain, mind and body. In truthfulness body comes a little later in the early days of spring. I find trying to remove the old, dusty and sluggish me difficult to do in the winter months when foods craved are wholesome, warming and consequently heavier in nature. Lymphatic cleaning is is much easier and consuming salads, juicing and lighter foods also easier when the weather is warmer and the days starting to get longer.
Clearing and cleaning out facilitates space to think, to create and for sure being human will once again over the coming year get filled up, maintaining the cyclical nature of hoarding. There is a saying “I need to clear my head”. This phrase is representative of how I feel about this time of year and the importance of ensuring my head is clear for what is ahead, whether plain sailing or challenges. For most a mixture of both. Above all to have space and the eyes to be able to see new opportunities.
Clearing out also brings the opportunity to manifest what you want in 2023, by letting go of the old, with thanks and welcoming in the new. After approximately two years of doubt and uncertainty due to Covid fall-out we can look forward to a healthy, positive, forward moving 2023. While the outlook according to “Capital 500, London Quarterly Economic Review” (Q4 2022), sponsored by Haysmacintyre, for the London Chamber of Commerce and commented on by Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Advisor and Board Member, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) while not being the most positive forecast, is at least showing an upward trend within London businesses:
- 17% expecting their workforce size to increase over the next 3 months.
- 21% reported an increase in investment in training in the last quarter of 2022.
- 14% reported an increase in investments in plant and equipment.
- 24% reported an increase in cash flow in the last quarter.
In combination with this positive upward trend, there is a worrying trend in rising costs. Nothing that we don’t all know already, but never-the-less:
- 70% reported an increase in their fuel costs last quarter.
- 79% reported an increase in energy costs last quarter.
Business confidence which is perhaps one of the most important markers was also showing an upward trend. An important point here is that the field work for this survey was conducted before the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 19 November 2022 and before the recent industrial unrest.
- 28% expect their profitability to improve over the coming 12 months.
- 37% expect their turnover to improve over the next 12 months.
- 21% expect London’s economy to improve in the next 12 months.
- 22% expect the UK’s economy to improve in the next 12 months.
Positivity is half the battle, if we start the new year feeling positive and upbeat there is a strong likelihood that we will manifest more of the same. Remember the Law of Attraction that states, “Like attracts like.” This means, on a daily basis, putting into the ether, our environment and lives, positive thoughts, actions and ideas in order to get back more of the same. Following are some tips and actions to take to start manifesting positivity and abundance in your personal and business lives, in no order of importance:
- Be grateful for the small things. Many small things add up to create larger things.
- Find others, your colleagues, team members, your boss, family and neighbours doing things right. Give them positive feedback on the spot to encourage more of the same.
- Be thankful for the abundance in your life – friends, family, clients, colleagues, partners, food, travel, nature etc
- Regard challenges in a positive way. Think about why you are facing this challenge and what it is trying to teach you. Experiences are the best teacher.
- Don’t take life too seriously – keep your sense of humour. Life looks so different when you can laugh with yourself and with others.
- Feed your brain as well as your body. If you eat *dead foods you lessen your energy, ability to focus and concentrate, ultimately your mental and physical output.
- Nourish your mind, body and soul. Take regular downtime to switch off, tune in to yourself and your environment in order to nourish the soul.
- Let go of negative emotions in an appropriate manner. Harbouring negativity is detrimental to mental and physical health.
- Do something every day, even if only for 10 minutes that brings you joy and fills your heart, making you smile.
- As in the film with Julie Roberts “Eat, pray, love.” (A film based on a memoir of the American journalist Elizabeth Gilbert.) Enjoy your food, give gratitude and love life by taking in every moment in a fully conscious state.
Wishing you all a healthy, happy, abundant and beautiful 2023.
*Dead foods – all processed and fast foods, simple carbohydrates – bread, cakes, pasta, sugar-laden foods.