Heather Miseldine EXIT REALTY GROUP Featured Articles Resolutions you can keep! Top ten alternative New Years Resolutions The Trivia Block Resolutions You Can Keep! New Year's resolutions often begin with "I will lose five pounds" or "I promise to quit smoking." But, without keeping the following suggestions in mind, your resolutions may become nothing more than fodder for frustration. Be committed. You must think through what you want to change and commit yourself to the long-term process. You then need to come up with a realistic plan to help you reach your goals. For example, if you want to shed some pounds, create a weight-loss schedule and an achievable diet and exercise plan. If your family and friends are supportive, tell them about your goals. They can provide encouragement and reinforce your commitment to change. If necessary, seek professional help to assist you. Be prepared for setbacks. Don't think of them as complete failures, don't dwell on them, and don't let them make you give up your goals. After a setback, try to get back on track to reach your objective. Plan ahead on how you'll deal with setbacks. For example, if you do have a cigarette when you're trying to quit, your plan may include reviewing all the reasons you listed for wanting to stop smoking and why reaching that goal will make you happy. Track your progress. Track your progress. Motivate yourself by celebrating your successes and by getting positive feedback from supportive family and friends. A good approach is to evaluate yourself every week or two weeks. However, don't over-monitor yourself by doing a self-assessment every day. That's just likely to end in frustration. Don't compare yourself to others. Accomplish your goal in a way that's best suited to you. Top Ten Alternative New Year's Resolutions Resolutions are all about making a fresh start. So, here's a fresh twist -- this year make a resolution you can stick to! The following resolution ideas are not only good for you, but you actually might enjoy them, too! Of course these are only starting points. Feel free to mix, match, and add to, as desired! Make New Traditions. Choose something that you, or you and the family, will enjoy growing with month after month, or year after year. Slow Down. Pause and take a moment each day to yourself. Enjoy the Great Outdoors. Get to know some of the parks in your area and beyond. Pick one day a week to go hiking, skiing, biking, or just spend more time outside. Conserve Energy. Get going on those energy-efficient home improvements you've been putting off all year. Get to Know Your Neighbors. Organize a community potluck dinner traveling from house to house. Plan an Adventure. Take one weekend a month to explore new things. Do Good Deeds. Practice random acts of kindness, and watch your karma soar! Get Organized. Clean out your closets and donate unwanted items to charity. Be Creative. Pick one thing that you've always wanted to do and make sure this is the year you do it. Rearrange It. Choose any room in your house and mix it up. You'll feel like it's a brand new room. The Trivia Block   The name January is derived from Janus, the Roman god of gates and doors, and hence, of openings and beginnings.