Okay moms, now that you have had time to reflect on your New Year’s resolutions what is it going to be? Maybe you have one really big one or a bunch of little ones. Either way you are ready to ring in the New Year with gusto and a positive outlook on life correct?
I thought it would be fun to examine top 20 of the most common New Year’s resolutions known to man or should I say woman. I follow a blog titled:Iguanasmom where she invites readers to compile this top 20 list. Maybe you have made a resolution with one or more of these goals and maybe you have succeeded or maybe you have failed in the process. Is it time for a new resolution, maybe one that is a little bit more realistic?
Top 20 Resolutions
- Losing Weight- This has got to be the big one with many individuals. It is so much easier said than done right? I have been there multiple times and this past year decided to buckle down and get serious. If you need encouragement in this area check out Reader’s Digest. There is a fantastic article on how you can cut fat and calories, portion control, etc.
- Exercising- Many moms this day and age are taking up some form of physical exercise whether it be Yoga, Zumba, Kickboxing, etc. Either way once the resolution is made it can be very challenging to stick to. According to Jillian Michael’s, “weight loss is a process that is both mental and physical.”
- Spend more time with family and friends- The most valuable of relationships are those you have with your family and friends. This may be a common resolution but it is definitely a good one. Jenn Sbranti over at Home Work Shop say’s “making time for family and friends should be a no-brainer, right?” The demands of everyday life make it challenging to keep up with this resolution. Jenn goes on to say that “it’s easy to find yourself opting for spending quality time with the couch over channeling your inner Martha Stewart.”
- Quit Smoking- I am not a smoker but I do know some individuals who do. For years their resolutions have been to quit smoking but it has been a hard habit to kick. If your resolution for 2011 is to quit smoking check out “Quit Smoking”, this site shows you 11 ways to keep your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking.
- Quit drinking- This time of year is difficult for many people because they are remembering the ones they lost or maybe they lost their job or house, etc. Because the pain is so great they turn to the bottle. Maybe you have found yourself in this boat and your New Year’s resolution is to quit smoking and be free of this demon. Check out Alcohol Rehab Information.
- Get out of debt- Check out Wallet Pop for more information.
- Buy a home- My New Year’s resolution along with my husband is to buy a new house. This is going to take a lot of effort on our parts. Go to Real Estate for tips.
- Saving for your retirement- Check out this article over at Ann Arbor Real Estate Talk. Many Americans are finding themselves struggling to properly save for retirement.
- Go back to school- Now is the time to take advantage of this resolution. Put your right foot forward or you will never return. You may need to take baby steps to get you to this goal but it will be worth it in the end.
- Make a career change- Heading back to school may be the primary reason for your possible career change. It is easy to get stuck in a rut. The Huffington Post has a great article titled: “New Year’s Resolution: 84% Want to find a New Job”
- Volunteer Work- This resolution may have become a trendy or popular resolution in years past but in all reality, it is a really good one. There are so many foundations and organizations in need of volunteers. Go to Volunteer Ideas for New Year’s by Joanna Castle Miller over at Suite 101.
- To become better organized- Check out my previous posts “Keeping the busy mom organized.”
- To become eco friendly- There is an excellent article on ten eco friendly New Year’s resolutions to choose from.
- To Travel- I would love to make this a New Year’s resolution of mine but it’s just too difficult right now, maybe when the kids are older. Maybe your resolution is to travel more this next year with your family. Where are some places you would like to visit?
- To always be on time- Whether it’s to be on time for work or school, a common but excellent New Year’s resolution is to stop being late.
- To watch less TV and read more books- Zoha Natig from Associated Content has a great article on how to discipline yourself in this area.
- To find someone special in your life- Maybe this doesn’t apply to you but someone else your life. There are so many individuals that make this New Year’s resolution because they are tired of being alone.
- To simplify your life- Moms and the word simple life just don’t seem to mesh. Moms are so very busy with hectic schedules and challenges, but maybe there are ways we can simplify our lives to make everything run more smoothly. Go to Aricle Span for a great article on this topic.
- To donate personal possessions to charities- This is mine and my family’s New Year’s resolution, mainly with toys and clothes. Having three children makes it easy for these items to accumulate. I am sure you can relate.
- To take up a new hobby- For 2010 my New Year’s resolution was to take up scrapbooking. Unfortunately, this hobby failed and I have taken up blogging. Check out the Craft Blog for making this your New Year’s resolution.
Can you think of any resolutions to add to this list? Have you been able to stick to past New Year’s resolutions? Please share with us your past or current experiences.
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I think many of us can answer this question honestly and openly with an obvious yes. It is very easy to say we are going to shoot for something life changing in the New Year but how many of us actually follow through with it? Stick-to-it-tive-ness, this is what we need to successfully triumph with a New Year’s resolution but how can we do this?
Tips for helping you keep New Year’s resolutions
- Make sure your resolution is easy to attain, don’t make unrealistic goals this can definitely cause you to break your New Year’s resolution.
- Try to set your New Year’s resolution a head of time so that you can write it down and make it plain in your heart. When you get it set in your mind, it will make the goal easier to shoot for. If you make a resolution the day before, most likely you will not follow through with it as your mind hasn’t had enough time to process it completely.
- Make some sort of list and post it where you can see it everyday, like someone to call or some sort of mind exercise to get you in the habit of achieving your New Year’s resolution.
- Make only one New Year’s resolution, one that is most important to you. If you make too many resolutions, they will become easy to forget and most likely they will become broken resolutions.
- Give yourself a break. Once in a while we just need to do something for ourselves to keep keep us going strong especially with New Year’s resolutions. For example, for me this past year’s resolution was to do physical workouts everyday with a healthy diet. I have achieved this but I also allowed myself a yummy treat once in a while to keep me motivated.
- Be sure to examine where you are at in the New Year with your resolution. Has your progress improved or regressed?
- Remember, you are only human. You are most likely going to take a little step backwards but just get yourself back up on that saddle and try again.
- Making your resolution a habit will help you achieve your goals. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit so if you can get those 21 days under your belt your New Years resolution is ringing true.
- Do not give up even if you feel like you haven’t made any progress. It’s like climbing a mountain you just have to keep pushing and enduring until you reach the very top.
How about you? Do you find it easy to stick with a resolution or do you struggle like many of us to keep pushing forward to achieve your goals? Please share any tips or advice that helped you keep your New Year’s resolution.
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It’s that time of year again when we all start making those New Year’s resolutions: lose weight, get more exercise, set aside some “me” time, read more, have more family time.
What about those of you who are headed toward college? What should you resolve in 2011?
Here are 10 resolutions for 2011:
1. I will pay attention to deadlines.
There are so many tasks and deadlines related to the college admissions process. Get yourself a large wall calendar and a red marker. Post the calendar in a place that you see every day (i.e. kitchen, bedroom, office) and stay on top of those deadlines.
2. I will file the FAFSA early.
Make it a point to file the FAFSA early. Don’t wait until you file your taxes on April 15th. File the FAFSA as soon as you have all the information necessary, preferably by February 15th. This will assure that your application is in the hands of the financial aid office when they disperse their aid (grants, loans and scholarships).
3. I will visit colleges BEFORE applying to them.
Take the time to visit those colleges that you’re interested in attending. There is no replacement for setting foot on the actual campus to get a feel for the setting, the students and the faculty.
4. I will do the research and look at a college’s statistics.
Use College Navigator and do your research. Look at the enrollment statistics, retention rates, amount of financial aid dispersed, and the estimated tuition and fees. Compare colleges to determine the best bang for your buck!
5. I will spend time preparing for the SAT and/or ACT .
Use the free SAT prep available online and complete the free practice tests. There are multiple SAT vocabulary sites that help you boost your vocabulary knowledge. If you feel paying for test prep is necessary, do the research and locate a company with a good record for success, not one that gives veiled promises of perfect scores.
6. I will not procrastinate.
Procrastination will land you in the reject pile. Send your applications in early. Complete all your forms on time. Don’t wait until the last minute to write your essay.
7. I will make wise decisions regarding student loans.
Borrow as little money as possible and don’t choose a college that requires you to go into debt for the entire amount of the tuition. Be a wise consumer and investigate the types of loans available, the interest rates, and use a repayment calculator to determine your monthly payments after graduation.
8. I will make connections with the colleges I’m interested in attending.
Make connections with admissions counselors at the colleges you are interested in attending by scheduling interviews. Get their business card and email address and stay in touch. Let them know you are serious about their college and when application time roles around, they will remember you.
9. I will attend college fairs (in person and online).
College fairs are good places to network and make those personal connections. If you don’t have a college fair in your area, CollegeWeekLive has two fairs each year where you can connect with college representatives and students.
10. I will find that “perfect fit” college.
Don’t settle for the college down the road or your parents’ alma mater if that’s not where you want to attend. Find the college that fits your academic interests, your social interests and the setting you prefer. Look for a college that wants you as much as you want them—this will be your perfect fit!
I wish you a blessed and productive 2011! It is my hope that you not only survive the college admissions process, but find it a fulfilling time in your life.
What are your New Year’s resolutions?