A Novel New Year's Resolution and Five Ways to Keep It

Every year I try, and every year it's the same result. I'm good for a week or two, but then I give up my New Year's Resolution. I get busy and I get back into my old routine. Then I feel like a failure. But this year it will be different because I have a plan. I've found my biggest and best New Year's Resolution and 5 ways to keep it!

One year I tried to lose weight and once I gave up ice cream, but those resolutions were all about me. This year, I would do something different. I would make each and every person I know feel appreciated before midnight that day. Then the next day would start and I would do the same thing. I decided to try it for a day, and lo and behold, I felt great! My outlook on life was better. By treating others with kindness (even my obnoxious brother-in-law), I felt great!

So I had a fantastic New Year's Resolution, but how could I reach my goal? I needed to find a way to keep my resolution. I needed a foolproof plan. That's when I came up with five great ways to keep my New Year's Resolution.

First, I decided to tell other people about my New Year's Resolution. By telling other people, I was announcing my plan to the world. Whether I succeeded or failed, everyone would know! I was 100% committed.

Second, I decided to trick myself. I knew that there were certain times when I would be weak, so I put up signs to remind me to do the right thing. I put sticky notes all over the place that said "Appreciate others."

Third, I decided to reward myself for sticking to the resolution. To motivate people at work we give them incentives for their efforts. Every day that I did the right thing I would put $5 in a jar to be spent for anything I wanted!

Fourth, I wouldn't be hard on myself. Year after year, it was always black and white - either I succeeded or I failed and, when I failed, I quit. That was the problem! I needed to realize I was human and I made mistakes. This year it would be different! If I had a bad day, I could start over the next day. I would eventually succeed because I wouldn't be so hard on myself.

The fifth and final way to keep my resolution was the most important. I needed to know myself - I needed to realize where I could go wrong. Avoidance was the key! I knew that being kind to that obnoxious brother-in-law of mine was extremely difficult so, I decided to spend as little time with him as possible. I needed to avoid tempting situations.

I have a great New Year's Resolution and I am prepared to keep it. I will reach my goal because this year, I have 5 great ways to keep my resolution!