Top Ten 2010 New Year's Resolutions

Around this time of year many Americans take the time to reflect on the year that just past, and look forward to the upcoming new year. They see this as a chance to start over with a "clean slate". They start thinking about what they want to accomplish in the new year, and make a New Year's resolution list. This year the top 10 New Year's resolutions are (this list is random): 1) quit smoking 2) quit drinking 3) lose weight 4) keep the weight off 5) help others 6) get out of debt 7) spend more time with family 8) organize your life 9) try something new 10) try to enjoy life. These are all great goals to reach, but many people have a hard time accomplishing them, and those same resolutions keep appearing year after year. Why? I think that many people do not plan well for the goals that they set nor do they handle them with realistic expectations. I believe that if you really want something that you will do what it takes to accomplish the thing that you want. The definition of goal in this case is "the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end", (www.dictionary.com, result number one under the definition of goal). Starting an effort toward a goal without proper planning is almost always doomed to fail. Once you decide that you want to achieve a goal then you have to break it down into smaller sub-goals to make your goal manageable and attainable. Take quitting smoking for example, I highly suggest having a strong support group before attempting this one. Also it would not hurt to join a smoking cessation class or group. This helps you hold yourself accountable for your choice to quit smoking. First you have to give yourself a deadline such as quitting by the end of six months, but whatever you choose remember to set a realistic time frame for you and your life. Now you have to start breaking your goal into smaller pieces or sub-goals, if you will. When it comes to quitting smoking there are many ways you can break it down. I would start off keeping the same habit for a week or so while mentally preparing myself of the goal ahead. Also you could switching to a milder brand like going from regulars to light. Then I would figure out how many cigarettes I smoke daily and start to reduce that amount like going from 20 to 15 cigarettes daily. If you keep this up along with a strong support group you are more likely to be a successful quitter than a continuing smoker. And if all else fails you could always talk to a doctor about medicine or patches to help you quit smoking. I know up until now I have focused on quitting smoking successfully, but this method of goal setting can be applied to many different goals that you have for your life. Whatever you choose as your New Year's resolutions I hope that you are successful in keeping them, and I hope you all have a Happy New Year!