Top Ten New Year's Resolutions for Celebrities and Public Figures

It's time to make resolutions for the New Year. Here a;re aq few that would be good for celebrities and public figures to adopt. Doing so would make life better for themselves and for the public at large. Everyone would benefit, either by sharing in their success, or by once again having some real heroes we could look up to.

#10 - Find some humility. This is a foundational resolution for celebrities and stars. Our news reports from CNN, Fox News, ESPN, CSNBC, and other news outlets are having a really easy finding news about athletes, movie stars, and other celebrities including politicians and government officiqals. So many of these people in privileged positions are ignoring simple laws of decency, character, and truth. Their reasoning: "It's what's in it for me." Plaxico Burrus was reportedly not only possessing a gun in a night club as reported on all news outlets, but also had other weapons in his home, according to reports on Sports Center. The governor of Illinois is now defending himself against charges that he tried to sell the senate seat vacated by President-elect Obama. Both men have openly flaunted their positions in order to get prestige, position, and favors for many years. C'mon guys, the world does not revolve around you.

#9 - Don't b elieve your press reports. They are not accurate most of the time. We are neither as good as our friends says we are, nor are we as bad as our enemies say. The New Year would be a banner year if in 2009 would feature surprises in the character in our leaders and heroes.

#8 - Be a team player. John Maxwell says (probably quoting a lot of other leadership gurus) that "Every successful leader has a group of leaders surrounding him/her with abilities and influence that one person could not have on his/her own."

#7 - Put others ahead of yourself. Switch from selfishness to selflessness. You have enough money, influence, power, and prestige that you can afford to live less sefishly. Selfishness is its own reward. Selflessness is as well. The difference is that selfishness only benefits one person. Selflessness always benefitsmore than one or two people. Someone has said, "A person all wrapped up in himself makes a mighty small package."

#6 - Buy a smaller hat. Then try to make your head fit it. This idea speaks for itself.

#5 - Promote those who make you successful at what you do. Self promotion is not becoming to you when you are at the top of your game. Sooner or later you will fall from your pedestal unless you can learn to build up others rather than drawing all the qttention to yourself.

#4 - Enjoy the journey. The real challenge and the real victory comes from tackling things that are bigger than you are and doing your best to accomplish the goal. Winning is important, but more important is the effort it took to accomplish it. Character does not always produce victory and notoriety, but it does produce the best effort we can produce.

#3 - At lease one day a year, live like a poor person, a hungry person, a homeless person. It will help you to appreciate the things you have and the position you hold.Give. The gospel of St. Luke says, "Give and it shall be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, shall men...give to you again." (Luke 6:38). Why not share your resources with people who don't expect you to do so.

#2 - Show your appreciation to others for their contributions to your life. Gratitude is always important. (Read my poem published on Associated Content www.associatedcontent.com/article/1218694/why_should_i_say_thank_you_a_thanksgiving.html ).

#1 - Become a good role model.It is a lot of pressure, but we must pass on to the next generation the values that make our generation successful. A person will never regret being the hero to a younger person or a person coming along trying to make it where we have already achieved. To quote John Maxwell, "Take people with you as you make the journey to success." (From the seminar "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership")

Peronally, I root for those who display the above qualities and I believe that our young people and young families would be better served if this kind of example was set by those we admire.

C'mon guys and gals! Give us your best shot in 2009.