Together in 2017 By Monica Jasuja In Culture Cubicle

A very happy new year to everyone.

Another year gone, another year with fulfilled dreams and promises and one more opportunity to make things better than they are with a crisp new year ahead of us.  But every new beginning isn’t about forced measures to suddenly leapfrog into being the person you want to be, but instead a measured and calculated path to achieving changes with hawk eyed focus and awareness.

To this goal of achievement of whatever it is that you said out to want in 2017, how about adopting just one strategy: TOGETHER.

Received an innocent whatsapp forward message - it's an African proverb

 If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together

The dictionary defines together as

• into or in one gathering, company, mass, place, or body:

• into or in union, proximity, contact, or collision, as two or more things:

• into or in relationship, association, business, or agreement, etc., as two or more persons:

We have all heard this innumerable times: We are the average of the five people we spend time with.  Hence, choose wisely. By sharing time and space with individual or individuals who share similar aspirations and work towards the same objective, we are hence likely to imbibe similar traits and behaviors towards achieving these together.

Being motivated to find time for exercise is generally tough, the commonest recommendation is to find a group of exercise partners to keep you on track. Take running for example, running alone can be illuminating and even meditative for some pro’s, but if you are a starter, run in groups.

Now, some people are generally more self-aware and inclined to do things alone and are just as successful. The strategy to find accountability and motivation with others is definitely not for you but for others, here are 3 easy ways:

1. Find a Mentor

Someone who you respect and can trust with decisions is a good place to begin. A mentor can make a whole lot of difference to your results with his/her experience and knowledge. By charting out a path where you take small but meaningful steps to being where you wish to be, you will find the journey a little easier with a mentor. From being a sound listening board to challenging your views, every interaction with a mentor can trigger alternative and powerful thinking which is much needed. Try it and be amazed by the results.

Women can mentor women to rise: Monica Jasuja, Mastercard

2. Join a community/forum/portal

For almost everything today there are dedicated and niche communities that serve the purpose of fostering like thinking, knowledge dissemination and a spirit of togetherness towards a common objective. Whether it be motorbike riding, running, losing weight, cooking, wealth management, academics or even politics and cricket, there are dedicated groups discussing every fine aspect in much detail.  Identify one which matches your goal, join it and be part of the conversations. In being with people who talk and live your goal every day, you will remain motivated to keep egging on even when the chips are down.

Why Women Need a Mentor in their Careers

3. Devote quality time, effort and emotions mindfully to Sisterhood

In all the madness that is every day, we often are overwhelmed to never truly engage with friends, who understand and are willing to provide a shoulder to listen, be with you and for you. Schedule an hour for coffee or lunch - devote quality time to engaging mindfully and being there for each other. Women don't do enough to help each other out, maybe it's because there aren't enough of us in the workforce so we tend to have male mentors, friends, co-workers. But the joy and absolute catharsis of being understood can only be experienced with women friends. Make a friend your accountability partner in your goal (and vice versa) and leverage sisterhood for each other's benefit

So here it is: to be together in all we wish, need and want from 2017. Let 2017 be a year of rebuilding our spirit, our health and our relationships, and the year we win everything and at everything we want.

Thank you for reading my post. Hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please remember to leave a comment. It motivates me to continue writing more stories like this one and yes, it helps people find this post too. Post any feedback or question you have in the comment box below, or tweet to me @jasuja on Twitter.

About the author: Monica Jasuja is a Payments Ninja specializing in Digital Payments Initiatives to further India’s progress as a less cash dependent economy. She is a Product Strategist with work experience in 4 geographies globally and brings knowledge and firsthand experience of designing, developing products with the wow factor. This article expresses her personal views, and not those of any of her employers—past, present or future. Monica is available on Twitter: @jasuja