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Success Advice

10 Things You Must Do in Order to Dominate the New Year

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Did 2019 suck for you? Raise your hand and yell ‘hell ya!!” Don’t feel bad. It sucked for a lot of us. I could write a whole book on everything that went wrong for me. Here’s a small breakdown in case you’re curious.

  • Mom died
  • Fired 3 pinterest managers
  • Lost a lot of money by switching ad agencies
  • My website crashed multiple times
  • Moved from one country to another
  • Son’s father committed suicide

So it’s suffice to say, I had a hella hard year. Overall, it just sucked. However, I do have to say that independent of two site crashes and everything else I went through, I’ve finally reached my monthly financial goal that I’ve been working really hard at. Yay me!

I learned a lot this year. This year for me was about patience, understanding and growth. I also realize there are some things I definitely need to change moving forward into 2020. I think every year offers up some new lessons. Some we like, some we hate and some we plain and simply ignore. Don’t do that anymore. The ignore lessons part. They come to us to teach us things. Swallow your pride and learn the lesson.

Here are 10 things you must do in order for you to dominate the new year:

1. Make a weekly list every Sunday

What needs to be done? What goals do you have and what calls to make? Organize your week every sunday night so you already know what you have to do. Don’t  pack your calendar too tight though. Allow wiggle room for unexpected emergencies and things.

2. Don’t set unrealistic goals

Seriously, keep it real. Don’t write “going to buy a Lamborghini by July of 2020” on your mind map if you really don’t think this could happen. You’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. Don’t do that.

3. Start saying YES to more things

Stop saying No to invitations to go to events and dinners and other social gatherings. Get out of your comfort zone and start saying yes to things and meeting new people. This is how we grow. And besides, you just never know who you might meet that has potential to be your new bff and next business partner. SAY YES more!!

4. Start saying NO more 

Wait, what? Say yes say no, what the hell? Say NO to people who keep sucking the life out of you. Say no when someone asks you to do something, like use up all of your valuable time. I get that it’s good to be a kind and helpful person but not at the expense of your sanity. Say no and let someone else step in to help. You’re not superhuman and your life and happiness is important too!

5. Set a timer

For all those who work from home, this one’s for you. Before you start a project or job, set a timer of up to 90 minutes. When the timer stops, so do you. Get up, stretch, take a 15 minute sunshine break, do whatever you want but stop working.

6. Ask for help more often

Read above: you are not superhuman. Stop trying to do everything all by yourself. It’s perfectly fine to ask for help. People genuinely do want to help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone every now and then.

7. Treat yourself

Take yourself out for dinner or the movies or buy yourself a nice treat, at least once a week. Whether or not you accomplished everything from your Sunday list doesn’t matter. You need to reward yourself for a job well done anyway.

8. Unplug from social media

Put your rotten tomatoes down please! This is a must. For at least one hour a day, no Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or your social media drug of choice. Go for a walk instead, read a book, go play with puppies (which leads me to the next thing you need to do), do anything for an hour except check social media.

9. Go volunteer somewhere

Anywhere. Find an organization that resonates with your heart and go volunteer for an hour a week (or more if you have time). When we do kind things for others that bring us joy, we are happier, less stressed and more productive. Go play with puppies at a shelter (yes that’s a thing), spend time at a nursing home. Did you know that lots of seniors have no family that visit them. Sad, right? Go hang out there and listen to some cool stories.

10. Eat your frog first thing in the morning

Ya, ew, gross. It’s not really I promise. Eating your frog simply means taking that one icky task you really don’t want to do, but have to, and knock it out first thing in the morning! If you don’t get it out of the way first thing in the morning it will sit, like a monkey on your back, for the whole rest of the day and you’ll be stressed out. Trust me on this one. Eat your damn frog for breakfast.

Here’s to a successful 2020!

Iva is a retired hairstylist turned freelancer from Ontario Canada living a life of freedom and joy in Guatemala. Her two main goals in life are to inspire people around the world with her blogs and to feed hungry little bellies in the poor town she now calls home.

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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Mark Manson life lessons on success
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In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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