Top 10 New Year Resolutions

As we get closer to the day the jolly guy in the red suit comes sliding down our chimney, so do we get closer to the start of a new year.

For many the thing that starts the year afresh is a set of resolutions, commonly called 'New Year Resolutions'. These are things that we aspire to achieve in search of some kind of better condition for our lives. The most popular resolutions always seems to be losing weight, exercising more or spending more time with loved ones.

Anyway, curiosity got the better of me recently and I decided to check around and see what would make up a Top 10 Resolutions for 2007.

In no particular order, here is what I came up with:

1) Lose Weight
2) Get More Exercise
3) Eat Healthy
4) Quit Smoking
5) Drink less Alcohol
6) Manage Finances Better
7) Learn something new
8) Reduce Stress
9) Travel More
10) Spend more time with family

The idea for the New Year Resolution has been around for quite some time, in fact it can traced it all the way back to Roman Times.

The dictionary provides one meaning for the word ‘resolution’ as follows - 'the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.’ It also presents a list of words with similar meaning (synonyms); these being as follow: ‘resolve, determination, perseverance, tenacity; strength, fortitude.’

For many the concept of a New Year Resolution is simply wishful fancy, a wish that without a plan it is doomed to failure from the start.

A lot of people decide on the stroke of midnight ‘NOT' to do something again without really thinking it through and their subsequent haste leads way to failure. It may last as little as a few days or as long as a few weeks but eventually it will fail!

Here are some ideas for success:

1) Set Goals - Setting goals, with successive steps to meeting those goals and having a plan of action is necessary for any level of success.
2) Create a Plan - Writing the plan down is also a good idea as it gives your resolution a little more substance and will hopefully give it more long term credibility.
3) Track and Reward - Tracking your progress and setting some kind of reward for completing a step can also be a great motivator.
4) Revise - If you miss a step don't go beating yourself up over it. Step back and look at the reasons why. Maybe you tried to do too much too soon and the reality is smaller steps! Revise your plan, create intermediate steps and make your goal(s) more attainable.
5) Remain Positive - A good mental attitude is key in getting a good start and then sticking with it; being resolute!

One last thought. Resolutions should be planned for the long term, not the short; they should be something that last all year and effect a change in the way you do something for the foreseeable future. Of course, life has a way of changing direction on us very quickly so don't go and get all stressed out if things don't go according to plan, remain flexible!

So what are your resolutions for next year?