Now is the time to make your New Year’s resolution goals, before the old year is gone. New Year celebrations are probably one of the oldest holiday traditions, but not celebrated at the same time each year, in every culture.
New Year’s resolutions can be a mixed bag of tricks for literally everyone who sets specific goals or priorities. Most people’s resolutions appear to involve efforts to change some of their old habits in the coming year. Think about what kinds of New Year resolutions you want to make for yourself to improve your health and wellness, your lifestyle or personal relationships. Here are some suggestions you might want to chose or add, to your own New Year resolutions for the coming year.
Many people look to improve their health by losing weight. It is a great idea to make a resolution to do so. You can go on a diet by eating a variety of foods that have less fats and cholesterol like poultry, fish, fruits and fresh vegetables to eat more often, for better weight control. Yet it is easier said than done, for most of us. Old eating patterns die slowly, and we seem to crave what we should not ingest. Successful dieters need incentives to stick to a regimented diet. One way is to learn to read food labels to see the favorable, or not so favorable, ingredients that are in some of the packaged food we eat. Some people make New Year resolutions to exercise more, by walking, or by training at home or in the gym. One way to learn about the right exercises is by seeking a professional trainer’s advice, reading books on exercising, or reviewing workout videos. Medical specialists say you also should drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and cut back on alcohol. Quitting smoking is probably the number one thing you can do to improve your health.
Another excellent resolution you might consider, is to try to be more optimistic about life. You should work to develop positive feelings about other people, and let them know it. One example is to be the first to simply say “hello” to others. Or compliment at least two people a day on good deeds they have done.
You can also use educational tools or opportunities to improve your career, by attending business or trade seminars, and special school classes. With more training, you can learn how to manage your finances better by buying less, by owing less and by saving more.
Consider a resolution to live a simpler, quieter life, in order to relieve tensions. Think about making a resolution to act on all matters enthusiastically, by eliminating negative thoughts. One way is not to waste your time getting even with others who try to hurt you, either physically or emotionally. Instead, get even with people who have helped you by doing good things back for them, in return for their favorable past support. Why not make a resolution this coming year to laugh more, to read more, to listen more and to say less? My friend Charlie, a retired businessman, made a similar resolution that added in hugging more, loving more and even crying more.
His resolution last year was to joining a local self-help group, to discuss problems that a widower like himself goes through each day. By meeting more people with similar interests, Charlie has learned to satisfactorily cope with his problems. It is still working for him today and typical of various resolutions that can work for you, too. Charlie made an extra New Year’s resolution for this coming year. He resolved to give his house a good safety inspection, for his own protection against injuries in his home.
Some people want to make their lives better by becoming more organized. A great resolution would be to learn how to manage your time better, by making a daily list of things to do, in the order of importance on the things you need to do. Even a resolution to plan to communicate better, to both business and personal friends, is a good idea that will help you reach your New Year’s goals by next year.
Thoughtful, well planned resolutions can make things better for you, and the lives you touch everyday. Don’t procrastinate on the things you want to accomplish. Get those resolutions started for the New Year now!
— Bernard Featherman is a business columnist and past president of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached by e-mail: bernard@featherman.com.
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