But New Years is a chance to pick just one thing to give yourself an entire year to practice or to do. That's why every New Years, I make a personal goal to change or work on a personality or lifestyle goal, such as becoming more social or surrounding yourself with people who care and encourage you.
Although these types of general goals may not seem as tangible and easy to determine if you've completed as if you had made a goal to visit a certain country or take a new class, learning new habits and improving your lifestyle is not done overnight. Giving yourself a full year to focus on the way you act and notice your usual habits will prove to be very beneficial and you'll notice a change in yourself by the end of December.
So take a few days to think about what could really be improved about you. And as always: write it down. I have a notebook that I keep all of my New Years Resolutions in. You don't have to record your progress unless you want to (which will help even more), but add in at least a general plan for how you're going to achieve your resolution.
For example, my New Years Resolution is to be true to my interests and put my talents to use. To focus on one thing at a time and not let laziness or my computer addiction get in the way. I love writing, playing music, and the outdoors, but often find myself bored at home with tons of unfinished piano songs, unfinished stories, and anywhere but exploring the outdoors. So to achieve my resolution, I have already made a corkboard to tack up music notes that I write as well as songs to learn. I plan to pick one story at a time to focus on and finish writing and then perhaps submit in a contest or to a publisher. I plan to let my friends see more of the real me so that maybe they'll even be interested and want to help! And I plan to make specific events to go camping or play sports and maybe even join the university Rock Climbing club.
Even if your New Years Resolution is very general like mine, it will be in the back of your mind throughout the year, making you subconsciously fulfill it. You don't even have to write it somewhere where you'll see it everyday because you'll probably get sick of it by the end of the year. Don't stress about your goal, just let it come naturally to you. Take it easy and good luck! May 2010 be a great year for you!
