10 Achievable New Year's Resolutions for 2008

The new year is quickly approaching. Yes, everyone will soon be talking about the changes they intend to make for the coming year. We have a hunch that a lot of the ones you hear about will be the ones that are the hardest to achieve. Those being, stopping smoking, weight reduction, and debt issues. If you have not gotten it by now, you need to realize that the difficulty of doing these successfully is against you. This does not mean that is you are highly motivated you will not be able to be successful. What it means is that these are life changes that require intense motivation and discipline. Sometimes you may have to seek the advice of a professional to help you along the way. These habits did not start quickly, having been perfected over the years.

For example, smoking is a very social habit at times. It allows you to have a relationship with others who smoke and you sorta become a "click" if it is in the work place. You know that when you take your break that most likely one of the others will be there as well. So besides being a bad habit, you have formed a new friendship that supports your habit.

With smoking, you may want to consider a new medication or patch from your doctor. You may want to slowly start cutting back on usage. If you are a pack-a-day smoker then possibly consider cutting back to 10 per day in the beginning. You may want to consider your smoking "habits" such as when you smoke. Most likely it is first thing in the morning, after meals, during coffee breaks, during times of stress, etc... Possibly become aware of those specific times and change things up. Such as taking a walk, calling a friend, reading, whatever it is, change the well established routine that encourages you to smoke. Replace the negative with a positive.

Just don't try to do too much too soon with any of the routine goals that are normally set. If it is cutting back and trying to lose weight, then, again, don't make drastic changes from the starting gate. It may be you would be successful for a few days, or a week, but soon you will find yourself frustrated and falling into old habits. Again, this may require the help of your doctor and or another friend who is also trying to lose weight. Support each other, be accountable to each other. When you feel yourself slipping, set it up to be able to contact them for moral support if necessary.

Just as with smoking, change up the routine. If you normally have a cookie jar at home, change that to bagged fresh veggies in the refrigerator. Have these ready to go and grab when the snack attack happens. Popcorn is filling and lo-cal as long as you check the label regarding calories, fat, etc...

Another major bit of advice is to "just do today". Don't concern yourself with how you will do this over the long run. Just get through today. You will find that when changing any habit, slow and steady is the route to follow. Have patience and well it might not hurt to pray for strength.

Having said all of this, we would like to get you started positively on goals that are definitely achievable if you want to impact your life. You can make changes with obtainable goals and change your life and perhaps the lives of others.

1. I resolve to think before I open my mouth to others.Words which we soon forget we said, can stay with others for years.

2. I resolve to compliment someone today on their keen ability to handle a situation, or handling a stressful issue. It costs nothing for you to compliment someone.

3. I resolve to try to make a connection with an estranged family member. It is not weakness to take the first step. Do you even really remember why you are estranged?

4. I resolve to allow myself to say "no" to outside requests when I feel I am not able.

5. I resolve to take several quiet moments each and every day to reassess my personal goals. You have time to do this so don't let the time issue be your excuse.

6. I resolve to remember that the kindness that we give to others will be returned to us. Try it!

7. I resolve to persevere--even in times of difficulty and uncertainty. Realize it to be a challenge to overcome as you have others.

8. I resolve to focus and acknowledge my children's strengths and skills.

9. I resolve to be a positive element in the lives of everyone I meet. You may be the only person that was positive to someone that day. Believe it!

10. I resolve to remember the lessons of the past, so that I may move forward into the future.

Having written this, it is my wish for everyone to move forward in their lives excitedly! Take each day and live it fully...........whatever that means to you.
Happy 2008 to all.