Resolutions that last

I love the beginning of the year. It’s like turning a new leaf, a clean slate, a new page with endless opportunity. A feeling of happiness with a great year gone by, a feeling of achievement for the goals realised. The beginning of a year has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. As part of New Year’s traditions I am confronted with the need to review my last year’s goals and set new ones. I especially love the feeling of contentment once my year is all planned out and of course the pride I feel to see my colleague s ogling at my clearly laid out year. I have just finished writing my eulogy. Strange? Not really. My reasoning is this, if I want to live a rich and famous life, and hopefully die at a ripe old age, then my resolutions this and every other year have to be different. They must fit into my final goal. What I do today will affect where I want to be tomorrow. Every year is as important as the last. The point is to make the most of it. Plan for each year like it was your last. Resolutions are based on decisions we make. These decisions are based on the goals we envisage are necessary in our lives. To make resolutions it’s very important that you list down all your objectives and the resources you have to achieve them. You must choose to make this New Year a year of difference, a year that you achieve all you set out to. Here are some New Year resolutions that you can consider making Spend more time with family You can make it your resolve this year to spend more time with your family. This may include taking them on holiday more often, spending the weekends together or just take up an activity as a family. Fit your friends into your schedule. Plan to go for more night outs with friends. Keep fit Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape join a gym start swimming or buy a home exercise package. Enjoy life more Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles most of us lead, “enjoying life more” can be a great resolution this year. It’s an important step to a happier and healthier you! Or just get out and try something new. Take up a new hobby or sport! Quit your bad habits While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change at once. Many heavy drinkers or smokers fail to quit immediately but do much better when they do so gradually or even learn to moderate their habit. If you have decided that you want to kick a bad habit, then the time to do it is now. Get out of debt There is no doubt that the holidays have left most of us in debt. The New Year gives one an opportunity to make an annual financial plan that ensures you are debt free by the end of the year. Learn something new You can vow to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, learn to drive, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book it will be rewarding in the end. Help others Volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many non- profit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that would benefit the less fortunate. Get organised Organisation is an easily achievable goal. Whether you want your home organised enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organised enough that you can find the stapler when you need it. Also resolve to organize your time well. Time is one of our greatest resource. All or some of the above suggested resolutions are bound to make this year different and more rewarding. They say if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. pgathoni@gmail.com