Resolutions for the New Year

It's not too early to start thinking about the things we resolve to accomplish or do better in the new year. Especially when January magazine editions hit the newsstands in the beginning of December focuising only on new diets, new exercises and new ways to find more time in your life. In an effort to try and not break another promise to myself, I'm going to be simple and realistic with my goals for the 2010.

Glamour magazine had a refreshingly different take on the annual self improvement. Their suggestions were based on things that are easy to accomplish and just might make this next year a little sweeter. Some of my favorites:

• Buy a "good decision" piggy bank. Pay yourself a dollar every time you skip a third drink, go to bed early, or make a difficult phone call. At the end of the year, buy yourself a "good decision" present.
• If you can't find something to watch on TV, turn it off.
• On January 2nd, sit down and write out five reasons why you would want to marry yourself. (date yourself, hire yourself, same idea) Doesn't that feel nice?
• Don't let a week go by without telling someone you love them. Out loud. Pets count. (I vote take this one step further and say it to someone everyday)
• Wave that freak flag high. One suggestion: on Facebook, go to Settings, then Language. On Primary Language select "English (Pirate)"... I actually just did this to see what would change. It's brilliantly hilarious. They also have "Upside Down" and "UK" among others.

Feeling inspired, I tried to come up with some of my own.

• Look for the sale. If I find something I want, I will resist buying it then and there at the store, and try to find it on sale online, at Amazon, eBay or another retailer. This will also force me to be think twice about my purchases and be more intentional when shopping.
• Listen more, talk less (a challenge for all extroverts).
• Instead of resolving to workout more, I resolve to try new workouts. I have never taken a spin class, zumba dance lesson, or done the P90X DVDs.
• Compromise more in my relationships and less on my values and goals. I could benefit from giving more to the people I love and redirect the selfishness toward accomplishing my ambitions.