Setting attainable and enjoyable New Year’s resolutions

I’m not a big fan of making New Year’s resolutions because I find they are easy to break after a few weeks. The gym I belong to is a perfect example of this – hordes of new people fill the classes in January and by February most of them have disappeared. It can be hard to establish new habits. However, for the second time, my husband and I made a resolution that shouldn’t be hard to keep.

Two years ago we decided to host dinner parties once a month. We did pretty well. I think we missed two or three months that year. We decided to give it a try again this year. The goal is to invite a different group of people to join us for dinner every month this year.

There are several reasons why we choose this as a resolution. 1. We have many friends and acquaintances that we don’t see very often. Having dinner parties is a lovely way to spend time with these folks and strengthen our relationships. 2. We usually invite two couples or four people which allows our friends to meet other people they may enjoy getting to know. Most importantly, the dinners are a lot of fun. We enjoy breaking bread and having good conversation with our friends.

Is there a New Year’s resolution you can set that seems attainable – a goal that is enjoyable and/or that easily helps you to better yourself? Here are some resolutions you might consider:

Work on remembering names. People are always impressed when you remember their name. There are several tips in this post that will help you with that.

Pay attention to your posture. Sitting in front of a computer and using our phones and tablets for hours a day does nothing to help our posture. And, a stooped posture does not convey confidence. Here are tips for strengthening your carriage.

Be courteous. Make a point of saying please and thank you. Hold the door open for others and thank them when they do the same. Allow someone to go ahead of you in line. Look the barista in the eyes when you thank her for your drink. All of these actions will make you and your corner of the world a kinder, happier place. Read information here about being courteous especially when others are not.

Put your device away when meeting with others. Whether you’re with your kids or in a business meeting, make a point of putting your phone away and giving your full attention to the people in your presence. Read about people’s cell phone pet peeves.

Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

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