As we get together for this first episode of Jersey Magazine for the New Year, we bring you 20 tips for a positive New Year from noted author Jon Gordon.

It’s easy to make resolutions.

It’s hard to keep them for an entire year.

But with a little simplification and creative thinking, it’s possible to make some adjustments in your life heading into 2025.

20 TIPS FOR A POSITIVE NEW YEAR

1. Stay Positive – You can listen to the cynics and doubters and believe that success is impossible or you can trust that with faith and an optimistic attitude all things are possible.

2. Take a daily “Thank You Walk.” You can’t be stressed and thankful at the same time. Feel blessed and you won’t be stressed.

3. When possible, spend less time sitting and more time exercising, lifting, stretching, and moving. Like a river you were made to move.

4. Talk to yourself instead of listen to yourself. Instead of listening to your complaints, fears and doubts, talk to yourself with words of truth and encouragement.

5. Post a sign that says “No Energy Vampires Allowed.” Gandhi said, “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet,” and neither should you!

6. Each night before you go to bed write down your success of the day. What you focus on shows up more in your life. Create a success journal.

7. Fight the right battles. Fight the battles that keep you going forward, not the ones that keep you stuck in the past.

8. Get more sleep. You can’t replace sleep with a double latte.

9. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, naysayers, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.

10. Live your purpose. Remember your why. We don’t get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it.

11. Fuel your life with love instead of fear. Fear is draining. Love is sustaining. Fear weakens you. Love strengthens you.

12. Make sure you have a mission, a team and a scoreboard. You need all three to thrive and go to the next level.

13. Implement the No Complaining Rule. If you are complaining, you’re not leading.

14. Read more books than you did in 2024. I happen to know of a few good ones. 🙂

15. Don’t seek happiness. Instead live with love, passion and purpose and happiness will find you.

16. Focus on “Get to” vs “Have to.” Each day focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift not an obligation.

17. The next time you “fail” remember that it’s not meant to define you. It’s meant to refine you.

18. Smile and laugh more. They are natural anti-depressants.

19. Create your Circle of Supporters. Who is in your circle determines how fast and high you rise.

20. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.

How will you make 2025 more positive?

• Greetings From the Garden State - Year End Wrap

  This week on our Greetings From the Garden State segment, host Mike Ham and Jim Monaghan talk about some of the top episodes from 2024.

• NJ's Monarch Family Associates Receives $1.25 Million Grant From Bezos Day 1 Families Fund

  Taiisa Kelly is the CEO of Cranford-based Monarch Family Associates. She joined Jim Monaghan on Jersey Magazine to talk about the $1.25 million grant that MFA just received from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund.

  Family homelessness in the U.S. rose dramatically from 2022 to 2023, and families now represent more than 28 percent of the country’s homeless population, according to a 2024 report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness. With its one-time Day 1 Families Fund grant, Monarch will work to reverse this national trend by serving families experiencing homelessness throughout the state of New Jersey.  

  Specifically, Monarch Housing Associates plans to use its funds to support implementation of a statewide Strategic Plan to End Family Homelessness. The Day 1 Families Fund investment will be used to expand on the success of Rapid Rehousing to ensure more families can access this critical support to regain housing stability. Funding will also be used to develop regional hubs which will support families in navigating the services and benefits available to help them maintain stability in housing. 

  Taiisa Kelly – Monarch Family Associates

• Rock N Ruff

  Considering Adopting A New Pet In The New Year? Randolph Regional Animal Shelter Manager Sunny Nowell Is Here To Help

  Everyone knows I LOVE animals- BUT, I’m not an expert, just a fan- When it comes to the “Opt To Adopt” mission I’ve created at WDHA, I sometimes rely on the experts for advice, tips, and guidance. My friend and local hero Sunny Nowell is one of these people. Sunny is not only the shelter manager for

  Randolph Regional Animal Shelter 

  

  Joe Frazz

  She is also an Animal Control Officer and someone who specializes in helping people find their perfect furry family members. In this episode of the Rock N’ Ruff Roundtable, Sunny offers a few simple suggestions on how to manage expectations, what to consider, and how to manage adding a new addition to your pack.  

  Adopting a new pet is a HUGE responsibility and it’s always helpful to have some guidance along the way, especially for first-time adopters. It’s easy to think that pets can just grab a collar and go, (to the dog park, visiting) and some can, but others may have experienced some trauma or inconsistency so Sunny’s suggestions involve patience and decompression. We are always thankful for her video clips that make us better pet parents.

  Looking To Adopt?

  Check Out The WDHA Rock N’ Ruff Page

  Or visit or investigate your local animal shelter.  There are so many wonderful animals looking for homes. That’s how I found Rosie Carr! She was even featured in a book about Rescue Dogs. 

  

  TC Collection

  Opt To Adopt!

• Local Look

  Looking for something fun to do in the area? Chris Swendeman has you covered with this week’s Local Look.

  There are always so many fun events happening in our local communities.  Check out what’s in store for this week in New Jersey.

  • The Mayo Performing Arts Center is the place to be today to celebrate your inner Swiftie at the Dream Like Taylor Show. Watch as a live band takes you through a musical journey through Taylor Swift’s diverse musical catalog. There are two shows today at 3 and 7 PM. Visit mayoarts.org for tickets.
  • Grab your four-legged family members and head to Edison where thousands of pet owners will be spending their day today at the 24th annual Super Pet Expo. This year’s Expo promises a pack of new features, more participation, and photo ops galore. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids ages 4 through 11. Visit superpetexpo.com for further details.
  • And learn about New Jersey’s rich history at a legendary spot, Monmouth Battlefield in Manalapan. Next Sunday, January 12th, learn all about the life of Alexander Hamilton. Visit friendsofmonmouth.org for event info.

   

  And that’s your Local Look for this week on The Jersey Magazine.  If you’d like your event to be featured on The Local Look, you can email us at JerseyMagazine@wdhafm.com.  See you next week on 105.5 WDHA.