New Year's Resolutions

New Years Day is approaching fast. With it comes the annual traditional of setting New Years resolutions. These resolutions are goals we set for ourselves for the year to come.

New Years resolutions can be announced in many ways. Some people choose to vocalize these resolutions to family or friends. Some choose to put them in writing, where they will be reminded of the resolutions throughout the year. Still others choose to keep their resolutions inside, where they remain private.

Some of the resolutions can be easy to accomplish. Making new friends, going to church more, or spending more time with your family are all examples of resolutions that can be fairly easy to accomplish. It takes little more than the decision to do these things to make them happen.

Some resolutions are a little trickier. Getting a better job takes a lot of applying and a lot of good fortune in having the right job land in your reach. There is the task of job searching. You may have to follow up with some companies in numerous interviews. When the right job gets sent your way, you feel victorious. However if a better job doesn't arrive, you begin to feel like you failed with your resolutions.

Weight loss takes a lot of hard work and determination. You must be willing to make wiser decisions when it comes to meal options. You must be willing to work hard. Exercise plays an important role as well. If you are willing to work hard, you can accomplish weight loss goals. If you don't work hard enough, you can easily set yourself up for failure.

This year, rather than setting yourself up for failure with unattainable resolutions, may I suggest making easier goals. Below are a few suggestions:

1) Being a better friend: Offer to spend more time with your friends. Become a helping hand to them when needed, as well as offering a shoulder to lean on during hard times. Just being there for your friends can go a long way!

2) Spending more time with family: Family should be your most important worldly possession. Show them how much they mean to you by spending much needed time with them.

3) Having a better year financially: Get an early start on this goal. If possible, try to get caught up on bills you might be behind on. If needed, try to get an extra job. Also, find any ways that you can to save money. Lower your options on your utility bills. Turn your heat down and your air conditioning up a degree or two. Use coupons or buy generic to save on groceries.

4) Having a better year emotionally: Reduce the stress in your life. Mend broken relationships. If you have been experiencing depression, seek help. You don't necessarily need medications, but counseling can go a long way. Whether you pay to visit a professional, talk to friends for support, or decide to talk with the leader of your personal religious center, counseling can really help.

This year, give the easier resolutions a try. The taste of victory at attaining these goals will make it all well worth it!