New
Year's is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that's
why, as the final seconds of the year tick away, we become introspective. Inevitably,
that introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual
of making resolutions, which offer the first of many important tools for remaking
ourselves.
The following list is the result of
our extensive survey, which consisted of over 300,000 responses worldwide.
1.
Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape
Physical
activity builds physical vitality. With every year of your life, you have more
to gain from being physically active; as your age-related risks of chronic disease
increase, regular exercise generally slows or reverses that trend.
In
fact, you're even more likely to notice the benefits of regular exercise if you
already have a chronic condition.
Are you ever going
to be fit again as long as you live? The answer is unless you make a resolution
to get fit – you’re never going to be fit – ever. The choice
is yours; it begins by opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, fruit in
place of chocolate, and active rather than sedentary activities.
2.
Stick to a Budget
It’s
been said that the best defense is a good offense. Developing and sticking to
a realistic budget is a brilliant offensive move as it prevents overspending and
ensures peace of mind.
Many people find it very
difficult to stick to a budget. It does take hard work and a lot of self-discipline,
at least in the beginning. The good news is that most people find the longer they
can stick to a budget, the easier it becomes.
3.
Debt Reduction
One of the
first things you have to do before any debt can be eliminated is to stop using
charge accounts. If you continue to use the accounts, you are only fueling the
problem, and building on it, not solving it.
Make
a resolution now to stop charging anything and to get financially stable. If you
can't pay cash for it, you don't need it, make it just that simple and you will
find yourself out of debt in no time at all.
Keep
a diary of all money spent, whether it is by cash, check, credit card, etc. Once
you know where your money is going, then, and only then, can you take the steps
needed to prepare a good budget that you can live with and make huge strides to
budgeting your debt away.
4. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends
More and more people are resolving to spend more quality
time with family and friends this year. This means you must consciously decide
to actively and purposely work on improving your family situation every day.
You may need to do such things as reschedule business activities to make time
for your kids, help your children set and achieve worthwhile goals, and setting
aside an hour a day for the family, every day.
Starting
right now, you can begin to make choices and take day-to-day actions that will
create nothing short of a phenomenal family. You can choose to have one if you
just resolve to do it and know where to put your focus. Making our families stronger
and healthier is important to our communities, our state and our world.
5. Find My Soul Mate
Romance
is alive and well as more and more people are looking for that special someone,
their soul mate who lights their fire, the ONE whom they love unequivocally and
who shares their worldview.
Soul mate relationships
are the sort of romantic relationships most of us dreamt of when we were young
and innocent: loving and erotic, committed and inspiring and best of all - lasting.
Soul mate relationships give both partners the
fulfillment that deeply satisfies them and makes them feel that they have found
the most wonderful person in the whole universe.
6. Quit Smoking
Becoming a
non-smoker is probably one of the best decisions you can ever make, and is a life
changing as well as a life saving decision.
The
benefits to your health, relationships, finances, vitality, the environment and
to your sense of self-esteem for having conquered a really hard-to-kick habit
will make any and all of your efforts and determination more than worth while.
The resolution to become a non-smoker will also help you to live longer and enjoy
the finer things in life.
Once you’ve made
the resolution to stop, acted upon it and succeeded, you'll feel great about what
you have achieved. Resolving to give up is your decision, and will improve your
life from that moment on. No one can make you quit, and no one can help you make
the resolution. You have to do it yourself, you have to want to do it, and you
need to do it now!
7. Find
a Better Job
A new year provides
a sense of getting a free do-over, so you can try again and get it right. Many
people resolve to find better jobs or to take a new approach to the jobs they've
already got.
It's corny, but true -- most of us
get reflective at this time of year and if we are in jobs already, we begin thinking:
Am I on the right path? Do I like where my position and my company are headed?
Am I even in the right career?
So you've been hearing
that voice again, the one that says you're not doing what you were born to do.
That may be true, but how do you figure out what you should be doing?
To begin answering this question, examine whether your current career path matches
your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Resolve to ask and answer
those essential questions before making any new career changes.
8. Learn Something New
People
throughout the world are realizing that a strong resolve to lifelong learning
is more than just education and training beyond formal schooling. A lifelong learning
framework encompasses learning throughout the life cycle, from cradle to grave
and in different learning environments, formal, non-formal and informal.
Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language or musical
instrument, or just how to become a better cook? Whether you take a course or
read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating and
beneficial resolutions to keep. Challenge your mind in the coming year, break
out of currents routines and challenge every comfort zone and watch your horizons
expand.
9. Volunteer and Help
Others
A popular, non-selfish
New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms such as spending time
helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house to name
a few.
Volunteering has risen sharply in the years
since we began collecting resolutions. This suggests the possible emergence of
a new civic generation and a resolve to make a bigger and better difference with
your life.
Resolve to replace the pursuit of success
and materialism with the pursuit of contribution and generosity. For this to occur,
the critical question must move from, “How can I become successful?”
to, “What can I contribute that will significantly impact other people's
lives?” By focusing on what we can contribute, we automatically become successful.
10.
Get Organized
Resolve this
year to plan your days, reduce interruptions, clean off your desk, say "No",
and make detailed lists. The benefits of getting more organized include being
able to save time, as you no longer look for the same things over and over again
or need to replace things you can’t find at all.
You will reduce stress because when you know where everything is, there’s
no last-minute rush to find what you need and get out the door on time for school,
soccer practice, or that important business meeting.
You will also find yourself being much more productive, as all the time you once
spent looking for things can now be used to do more important or more enjoyable
tasks.
Most people define being organized as quickly
and easily able to find what you need. While this is certainly true, organization
is so much more. The ability to staying organized lets you focus on accomplishing
your most important goals. That’s the true benefit of being organized.
Contact us by info@goalsguy.co.za
or by calling +27 82 8005154 if you have any questions or suggestions.
Media Requests: Leon Kaplan can be reached for media requests,
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or by info@goalsguy.co.za
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source:
Gary Ryan Blair is the inspiration behind
New Year's Resolution Week. This annual event was founded on the premise, that
a single resolution can positively and profoundly create lasting change in your
life and help to make the world a better place. To become part of the world's
largest personal change initiative, visit www.GoalsGuy.co.za
"At
The GoalsGuy® , Our Goal is Simply to Help You Achieve Yours!"™
