Can you believe another year is ending? From all corners of LifeDirect, we’ve gathered some tidbits and tips to share with you. Just some good food for thought as we gear up for 2024.
Start an ‘acknowledge your accomplishments’ jar
Here at LifeDirect, 2023 has been a year full of new partnerships and innovation. But when in the whirlwind of it all, it can be easy to lose track of other smaller milestones – like the time we assisted a lovely client with their claim, or a heartwarming conversation we had with another.
The thing is, at the beginning of every new year, we all tend to be more focused on ticking off our resolutions than what we have and feel good about. Our tip? Start your own ‘2024 accomplishment’ jar. Day by day, write on a piece of paper all the big and small things that made you feel happy, proud, or even a simple act of kindness that brought a smile to someone’s face. Drop these notes into your jar: in 12 months’ time, you can read them all and see how far you’ve come.
Reassess your premium structure
In a world where the cost of living is continually on the rise and impacting so many Kiwis, it’s important to make the most of your insurance spending. And that’s why we want our LifeDirect clients to establish an appropriate premium structure.
As our LifeDirect adviser Ben said, “If you anticipate keeping your life insurance for an extended period, it may be worth considering opting for level premiums. Depending on your situation, despite their initial higher cost, level premiums can be a more cost-effective choice over the long run.” Click here to learn more.
Discover the extra benefits of your cover
Having insurance can be a proactive step towards a healthier, happier lifestyle. Depending on your provider, you might have access to additional benefits, like discounted gym memberships or free periodic health screenings.
Take, for instance, AIA Vitality – a health and well-being programme available to all AIA customers. If you’re with AIA, you can now get a free first year of AIA Vitality through LifeDirect and start your journey to your best self.
Our senior adviser Tony, for example, used AIA Vitality as an incentive to quit drinking in January 2023. Reflecting on this big change nearly a year later, he shares that letting go of alcohol was far less daunting than he’d imagined, and the newfound freedom has been exhilarating.
If you’re with another provider and would like to know about the extra benefits you’re eligible for with them, get in touch: we’re here to help.
Prioritise single-tasking
Let’s leave insurance aside for a moment and address the multi-tasking conundrum. Many think they’re making the best use of their time by juggling multiple tasks simultaneously. But what if we told you that multitasking is actually less efficient? One study found that only 2.5% of people are able to multitask effectively, so unless you’re part of the lucky few, your attention is actually divided as your brain keeps bouncing from one task to another.
At LifeDirect, our team know this well. And that’s why we always try to focus on one client at a time, ensuring we dedicate our full attention to the task at hand. In 2024, make sure you embrace single-tasking: close all irrelevant browser tabs, silence unnecessary notifications, and dive deep into what’s right in front of you.
Most importantly, have fun
Many people strive for happiness, but what if the ‘trick’ to achieve it was having more fun? According to experts, happiness is outcome-focused, while fun is more demonstrable, observable, and measurable. Having a laugh helps reduce anxiety, boost self-esteem, and decrease stress.
We couldn’t agree more! Many of us have been working together for a long time. We’ve found that by dedicating time for casual outings, or even a shared laugh over coffee, we’re creating a more vibrant, creative, and stress-free work environment.
And the good news is that you can be deliberate about it. Studies suggest that, by reserving time for fun, you can be more productive in your personal life and at work. So, how much time is enough time spent on fun? According to research, two hours a day is the sweet spot!
Happy New Year from our families to yours
We’d like to thank all our clients for placing their trust in us throughout the year. If you have any questions, please don’t forget we’re here to help. You can call us on 0800 800 400, start a Live Chat or fill in this form to get in touch.
Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current developments or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.
