The first few hours of 2024 are upon us. Many people enjoyed the Christmas festivities, reuniting with family members and relatives, eating a variety of food, travelling, and making memories in matching pyjamas. For others, however, the time of celebration was greeted with much grief and loss, hunger, sickness, and depression.

Nevertheless, we pause to be grateful for being able to see the ending of yet another Roman calendar year, even as we empathise with those who have suffered great loss and those who did not enjoy the luxuries from which others benefited.

As we reflect on the past year and look toward a new one, I recall how the apostle Paul wrote the Pauline epistles – there was always some exhortation or admonition. Even though I am not specifically writing from a scriptural perspective, I would like to share some thoughts on how we can win in 2024.

My last column seemed to have punched many readers in their faces, especially the point that cautioned them to stop lending out their money. I received many comments from people that they have had numerous negative experiences lending out their money. They have promised to improve on that in the new year.

As we think about winning, one of the key ingredients to have is a winning mindset. The state of one’s disposition is what separates a winner from a loser. How we perceive life generally will affect the results that we get. Put otherwise, our posture has a lot to do with how well we prosper.

I understand the ideology of times and seasons — even the book of Ecclesiastes (chapter three) speaks to this. However, one did not even have to wait until 2024 to make plans and set priorities and boundaries. Literally, any new day can be the start to fresh things. It really just requires a shift in mindset, discipline, and strategy.

Another important point is to get in shape — physically, emotionally, and intellectually. We live in an era in which many take an interest in their physical well-being, which affects their mental wellness. More people now go to the gym or exercise from home. Whatever works for you, just do it, as long as you engage in some sort of meaningful physical activity daily.

Managing our emotions is also critical. Dealing with our traumas is necessary for our personal and professional development because we have to interact with others. If it requires seeing a specialist, such as a therapist, counsellor, or psychologist, you should make that appointment. Additionally, you have to be deliberate about avoiding unnecessary vulnerabilities, relationships, and friendships that are one-sided, which only drain your energy and waste your time. Reciprocity should be a guiding principle.

In addition, take time to feed your brain with solid food. Reading widely is very useful in winning. I speak different languages and every day I ensure I engage meaningful content in these different languages. Reading broadens your horizons, stimulates the brain, and empowers you with ideas and arguments to use in your daily discourse. Our students, especially, need to be cultured in the habit of reading. Many of them are social media savvy but they are weak intellectually.

Furthermore, being one’s own influencer is of vital importance. We live in a time marked by social media influencers and media personalities, some without much substance. Nothing is wrong with admiring people, but only you truly know yourself. Therefore, you must seek to compete with your old self. The goal should be to improve on yesterday’s self and achievements.

Finally, winning means living a purpose-driven life. There is a lot more to achieve and several other territories to occupy, but I can safely say that, in my under 30 years of existence, I have been living a purposeful life. I live in contentment and nothing is more noteworthy. No amount of money or fame can be compared to the joy of walking according to God’s divine calling for my life. I have become to help others become. What is your purpose? Find out and you will definitely win in 2024.

Oneil Madden is interim chair/head of Department of Humanities and lecturer in language(s) and linguistics at Northern Caribbean University. He is also a PhD candidate in applied linguistics at Clermont Auvergne University, France. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or maddenoniel@yahoo.com.