Lists for the New Year

I just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I can hardly believe it is 2008 already. Time flies much more quickly than I expect. As I sat here thinking about the year ahead, I have to admit that I began to wonder what the most common New Year's Resolutions are these days. What exactly is everyone planning to achieve this year? What is important enough to motivate people to action? (at least for a few weeks)

So I did a search.
Isn't the Internet great?
And here's what I found...

According to several sites, the top 10 resolutions people will make for the new year are:
1. spend more time with family and friends
2. exercise more
3. lose weight
4. quit smoking
5. enjoy life more
6. quit drinking
7. get out of debt
8. learn something new
9. help other through volunteer work
10. get organized

And from a slightly different (and entertainingly realistic) perspective, the top 10 resolutions that people won't keep are:
1. watch TV less
2. clean out the fridge
3. balance the checkbook
4. exercise
5. stop telling white lies
6. save money
7. be nicer to relatives
8. recycle everything
9. get to work on time
10. stick to a diet

And what is really sad is the number of weight loss "pop-up sites" that I came across as I searched for resolutions. My "favorite" is the following site:
1800beyourbest.com
It's a plastic surgery website.
Is this the only way we are able to meet our goals?
I really hope not!
Because I have too many other things to spend $2000 on besides liposuction! Like fixing my car, or decorating my house, or taking a trip with my family, or paying off some debts.
Although, it is tempting...

I should, of course, share the following list as well. I found a site that listed the top 10 tips to actually achieve your goals:
1. write them down - this will increase the likeliness of sticking with them
2. commit - really commit, not just thinking about it
3. tell other people - let them be your cheerleaders
4. get accountability - seek out support from others
5. make a step-by-step plan - how will you actually get to the end result?
6. do a goal check-in - be sure it is a goal YOU are motivated to set for yourself
7. get real - make sure the goals are realistic and you have some hope of actually reaching them
8. focus with reminders - post notes where you will see them often
9. believe and visualize - be optimistic and focus on your eventual success
10. be flexible - expect that your plan may need to change over time

Another good list of resolutions was the top 10 resolutions for business success (I found it interesting how many of these could be altered slightly to fit well as personal resolutions too.):
1. learn how to delegate and do more of it (wow, wouldn't that simplify my life a lot?)
2. promote your business regularly and consistently
3. make business planning a weekly event (sounds like family council meetings to me)
4. learn something new
5. join a new business organization or networking group (like, go out and actually try to make new friends?)
6. give something back to the community (service projects!)
7. put time for you on your calendar (OK, I'm lifting this one directly and adding it to my list - what a great idea)
8. set realistic goals (hmmmm. pause for thought)
9. don't make do, get a new one (if it isn't working, get rid of it and try something new)
10. drop what's not working for you and move on (you don't have to be just like everyone else - be your own personal best)

I have really never been one for making New Year's Resolutions. I make resolutions all year long. Every time I set a new goal for myself. Or fail at one and set a more attainable goal. I am constantly trying to improve myself throughout the year. But this year I have decided to make an official list of resolutions for myself (I love making lists - sometimes I even make lists of my different lists - sound familiar?) and publish them here for all to see in an effort to hold myself accountable for these goals. As you can see, some are purposely less specific than others (in an effort to provide a little wiggle room for myself), some are more specific (in an effort to really try to hold myself to the goal), and some are written in a more humorous fashion (in an effort to bring a bit of lightheartedness to a more serious goal).


So, my New Year's Resolutions for 2008 are:

1. exercise regularly - 5X/week, weightlifting and cardio
2. get more sleep - so that might mean no late night blogging through the week, I suppose
3. seek out therapy (and maybe some good meds) to help level out the ultra highs and depressing lows that I can't manage alone
4. be more patient - with the kids, with Mike, and with myself
5. take at least one family picture each month - it doesn't have to be a "blow-up-to-hang-above-the-fireplace shot", just something that shows our family together (smiling, if possible)
6. lose 30 pounds - at least 20 by my birthday
7. play more and stress less - just relax and have some fun sometimes without the worrying
8. look for the positive instead of the negative in each situation
9. say more thoughtful (and regular) personal prayers
10. put time on the calendar for me - in addition to regular exercise (see #1) and therapy (see #3) I want to set aside at least two hours each week to scrapbook, something I haven't spent much time doing lately


So, whether you are a list maker like me, or you prefer to come up with one big idea and run with it, I wish you the best of luck at reaching your goals this year.