10 Things You Should Strive to Achieve in 2019!

No matter how cliché losing weight or waking up early daily is for a New Year’s resolution it’s still something people should go for if they feel it will improve their quality of life.

The list below consists of 10 unconventional things that you should strive to achieve come January that will most definitely help you become a better you in one way or another.

#1 Learn to cook a new dish every month
Or simply learn to cook if you’re not used to preparing your own meals. Cooking can be a fun way to spend time with friends and family. For beginners, you can start with something as simple as a grilled cheese sandwich and slowly progress to a spaghetti carbonara!

#2 Travel to an exotic location
From Hell’s door in Turkmenistan to the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, the world is full of places you must see before you die so you should get started soon! If you’re looking for a local getaway, there are many islands and destinations in Malaysia waiting to be discovered! Try visiting islands such as Pulau Sipadan in Sabah or Pulau Rawa in Johor and be captivated by nature!

#3 Try a new sport
There are so many sports out there that are just as exciting and fun as football or basketball that are waiting for you to try. Sports such as handball, cricket and water polo are easy and fun to play but if you feel like trying out less conventional sports we recommend kayaking, ice skating and horse riding.

#4 Read a different book every month
“The more you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go”- Dr. Seuss Some of us may not find the time to read as often as we used to before life started getting hectic but try to spare about thirty minutes a day reading a good book. Books you read can range from anything between self help books like Stephen Covey’s ‘7 habits of highly effective people’ to a highly detailed fiction novel like Murakami’s ‘Norwegian Wood’.

#5 Learn a new skill
With how the world is changing, you’ll definitely have the upper hand in seeking for a job if you are fluent in coding, programming or even if you can speak an extra language. A lot of the skills required in today’s demanding workplace might not have been as relevant a few years ago but as we step into the future, you’ll find that taking a few hours a day to study coding or taking classes to learn a new language can definitely will bring nothing but good to your life!

#6 Reconnect with old friends
Many of us still follow some of our schoolmates and childhood friends on social media despite not being in contact with them for a long time. This year, try to reach out to those that you once shared a special connection with back then and maybe have a cup of coffee for old times’ sake.

#7 Volunteer more
There is a large number of soup kitchens that operate around the Klang Valley area such as Kechara, Pertiwi and Dapur Jalanan KL among many others. Get in touch with them by via their official websites for more information. Don’t forget to take pictures for your portfolio! You can also register to be a GRADUAN ambassador at graduan.com/aspire where you’ll receive allowances, a recommendation letter and more volunteer experience under your belt to kickstart your career!

#8 Spend more time in nature
No, we’re not asking you to start living in an estate in the middle of the forest but going jungle trekking or hiking on the weekends will give you a glimpse of the beauty of nature and you might even want to spend more time there! Also on the plus side, spending time outdoors is known to demonstrate a destressing effect and can also combat mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.

#9 Adopt a pet
You’ll save money and not only help a cute little furry animal have a new home but also reduce the burden of the shelter house. You’ll also be able to take selfies with your new pet so it’s a real win-win situation!

#10 Be less stingy with smiles and other polite gestures
kind gestures are in short supply today but you can make a difference! Smile at the security guard that is stationed at the gate of your apartment and greet the uncle you meet every day on your way back from work. You never know when these kind gestures can make someone’s day.

2019 will be filled with endless opportunities that you can take advantage of! Make this new year one to remember!