Editorial: Great time to change for better

The end of a year inevitably causes one to reflect on life and the last 12 months in particular.

Some of us have had good years, while others are glad to see the back of 2012. One thing is certain, the past year seems to have flown by. It seems like it was only about ... a year ago ... we were welcoming in the new year.

Either way there is something fresh and exciting about the beginning of a new year. It is a natural restart button to our lives. If we are unhappy with what we are doing and where we are headed, the new year is a good time to make a change.

Obviously there are some of us who are simply unable to make a change without some sort of help or intervention, but for the majority, life-changing decisions are normally mulled over during the Christmas break and then put into action in the new year.

New Year resolutions have become a bit of a cliche, but often it is a simple case of setting goals for ourselves. Goals are important but it is even more important not to set unachievable goals. Many a well-intentioned resolution is shattered by the realities of our busy, day-to-day lives. Dire experience and failure can be a harsh tutor and one way to break the cycle of disappointment is to aim for something well within your reach.

The signs are there that this could be a good year. The economy is starting to rebound and we live in a region full of potential and optimism. It is up to us to take the opportunities that the new year presents us. Our goals and resolutions normally revolve around our health, our family and very often our jobs and careers. January is a perfect time to put a system in place to make this a very good year.

On behalf of all the staff of Hawke's Bay Today - Happy New Year.

May this be the year you want it to be.