I always think this is an exciting time – a New Year, new opportunities and aspirations. I know many people make resolutions for the New Year and it is interesting to see how these progress over the year – I know that, in the past, some of mine have lapsed in the first few days. I have managed to keep others going throughout the year.
Following discussions with colleagues in HAAGA-HELIA University in Finland where we discussed the idea of doing something new and different every day, I decided that this was to be my challenge for 2014. It is very interesting seeing the impact of this on my everyday life – I am enjoying thinking about and finding new opportunities. Particular ventures to date include: fossil hunting on the East coast by following a falling tide; researching my family history and discovering a great, great, great grandfather was a puller in a coal mine in the North East of England – this was a horrendous and very dangerous job; walking a very different way to work one morning (it took longer and meant that I got more exercise); signing up for a MOOC course on critical thinking; and reading a book which I wouldn’t have normally selected. This idea of doing something new every day is something I can really recommend to everyone – it brings new ideas and activities into our lives and, apparently, this helps us to be happier and more creative.
On this note, I would like to wish everyone all the best for 2014. A particular welcome to our new postgraduate students who arrived this week – I do hope you enjoy your time with us.
