Small changes that will make a big difference in your life

As we approach the end of January, most of those who made New Year's resolutions are already working towards achieving them.

If you haven't yet charted a course for self-improvement this year, don't worry. It's never too late to do so.

While many people get started on their objectives with great vigour, many get off track midway through, and only a small percentage stick to them.

Woman had a chat with leaders of non-governmental organisations that work to better the lives of women, who shared some insights on what women should do to succeed this year.

Glory Livingstone, co-founder and director of The Voice Organisation, a non-governmental nonprofit focusing on mental health education, highlights the important role of good health in achieving one’s goals.

She draws attention to the relationship between physical and mental health, noting that mental well-being often takes a back seat when people set life goals.

“Mental health is essential to overall health, but unfortunately, many people usually overlook it when setting their life goals,” she shares.

Glory says anxiety and depression are some of the setbacks that prevent women from reaching their full potential.

Citing the World Health Organisation's March 31, 2023 fact sheet on gender and health, she underscores the prevalence of depression among women, urging a collective acknowledgment of the critical role mental health plays in achieving personal goals.

“According to the WHO fact sheet, depression is 50 percent more common among women than among men. This is a reminder that our mental health is just as important as our physical health."

Going by these statistics, Glory says it’s evident that it’s not easy to achieve the goals we set if our mental health isn't in good shape.

To succeed in 2024, Glory recommends aligning our goals with a commitment to optimal health, recognising the impact of anxiety and depression on women's potential.

She attributes these challenges to gender discrimination and wage disparities, which she says lead to increased rates of poverty, hunger, malnutrition, domestic violence, and sexual abuse that impede progress.

The Voice Organisation conducts awareness campaigns, entrepreneurship seminars, and self-care programmes to address these issues.

“Through these seminars, we help individuals improve their self-esteem and confidence, thereby avoiding or mitigating mental health challenges caused by poverty and lack of confidence,” says Glory.

She advises women to cultivate positivity, nurture relationships, practice mindfulness, express gratitude, and foster connections if they want to be successful this year.

To maintain good health, Glory encourages self-prioritisation, realistic goal-setting, and stress management, keeping in mind the fact that happiness starts with oneself.

Women should learn how to prioritise tasks to avoid burnout by setting boundaries and knowing when to say no.

"Establish realistic goals, work towards your dreams, understand your triggers, and develop coping strategies. You should learn to manage stress, be responsible for yourself, and refrain from engaging in negative conversations,” Glory advises.

She encourages women to always seek help when needed and insists that doing so is not synonymous with weakness but rather a sign of strength to cope with mental health challenges.

“Just know you matter and that you’re not alone in whatever you’re going through. Let’s all avoid stigma because life is not a bed of roses and no one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life."

She adds; "Remember that mental health is essential to overall health; therefore, taking care of yourself first is crucial.”

Want to try your hands at entrepreneurship?

For those venturing into entrepreneurship, Neema Mbilinyi, CEO of Johngs Investment, which equips women with entrepreneurship skills to start, manage and grow their own businesses, shares invaluable insights.

Neema advocates for a daring spirit, resilience, and strategic investment despite challenges.

She stresses the significance of providing excellent services, producing high-quality products, and collaboration within the entrepreneurial community.

“Let’s go above and beyond business as usual to set ourselves apart from other entrepreneurs,” says Neema.

She advises against underestimating other people's products and encourages sharing information and giving advice where needed. “Let's not discourage one another,” she notes.

Neema encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to engage mentors for informed investment decisions.

One of Johngs Investment's plans this year is to empower women in rural areas with entrepreneurship education in a bid to foster economic independence.

“There are a lot of women in rural areas who need this education so they can start their own businesses. We will coach them on how to find markets for their goods and services,” says Neema.

Your safety in the digital space

Iman Henrick, a journalist and advocate for digital rights, highlights the importance of prudent internet use.

She advises women to navigate the digital landscape cautiously, highlighting the potential impact of online harassment on mental health.

Iman urges reporting abuse, blocking attackers, and exercising caution with artificial intelligence to safeguard privacy.

"You need to tread carefully online, consume the information on the internet with caution, and be careful with what you share."

According to her, sharing inappropriate stuff could come back to haunt you and cause you to become the target of online harassment.

This could have an impact on your mental well-being and prevent you from doing anything constructive, which would slow down your progress.

Iman reminds us that our social media histories matter and that anything we put online may either improve or negatively impact our chances of being given opportunities.

“We should exercise caution when disclosing sensitive information to artificial intelligence (AI) programmes because doing so increases our risk of security breaches,” she shares.

She urges the government to expand internet connectivity in rural regions to give more people access to information.

As we embark on the promises of 2024, we should remember that success is not solely about achieving goals but also maintaining a healthy mindset.

“Women need to support each other every step of the way, regardless of which stage a person is at. A helping hand is what we all want,” says Iman.

Let’s make 2024 a year of success and triumph for all women so that every one of us can achieve our long-standing aspirations, she concludes.