New Year's resolutions

There is nothing wrong with goal setting. The gesture of trying to improve oneself is a noble one. So often over the years I have said resolutions myself and failed to carry them out. The only one I have been successful with until now is the resolution I made to make no more resolutions. The reasons that my past resolutions have failed has been a variety of reasons. Mostly though it has been the vague goals I have set(Ex. eat better, be a better person, etc.). Not that I had no notion to improve but I had no plan or real intention to carry it out. I became skeptical of the whole process and very negative toward even making a resolution.

I am here to say now that I was wrong. At this very moment I don't have a particular resolution in mind for myself but I'm working on it as I write this. I am big on goal setting so just because I have seen my resolutions and others fail in the past I should be applauding people desiring to improve instead of being critical. So set some attainable goals. Here's a list of some current and all time greats:

• Lose weight
• Eat healthy
• Start/increase exercise regimen 
• Spend more time with family/friends
• Read more books
• Pay off credit cards
• Help others/Volunteer your time
• Get organized/remove clutter
• Lose your arrogance/find some humility

So there you go, now just setting the goal is not enough. If you want to read more books set a number you wish to read this year. What kind of books do you want to read is important too. Some modern authors have interesting and individual works but a lot of them have a formula that they use. Read books but make sure they are ones that satisfy more than just making a certain number. If you want to lose weight set a weekly goal and a goal weight. Tell someone you are close to that can encourage you. If you want to reduce your debt set a budget and figure out how long it will take and do your best to stick to it. If unexpected expenses come up revise your plan but don't give it up entirely.

Now there are some really good resolutions I just couldn't put in a bullet list. These are more important than any of those. If you have a drinking problem, if you are a drug user, if you gamble recklessly, if you view internet porn or any other compulsive condition these are far more important to get out of your life. They don't have to wait for New Year's resolution time but if that is what it takes then do it. Seek help, you are not alone. There is a wealth of support out there for you. Do it today, don't put it off to tomorrow or next year. Those other resolutions pale in comparison and some of them may even be accomplished if you make this bigger change first.

I think my resolution is to be more positive. I can be but am not always a positive person. I tend to fall into the trap of sarcasm and even some of my non sarcastic verbal irony could be viewed as negative and not necessary. I'm already feeling more positive. My parents always said to us kids "if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all" and while there are certain times I don't believe that to be prudent 9 times out of 10 it is a good idea. Please remind me if I am slipping into old patterns of being flippant and a little negative. Feel free to encourage me if you see an improvement. I know it is a little vague as a goal but what can you do ;)

So what are your goals for 2012 and what resolution(s) are you making?

This is likely my last blog for 2011 so have a safe and happy New Year's Eve and may 2012 bring out the best in you!

Blessings!