I am very into my resolutions at the moment. I am getting high off resolutions. They are a wonderful tradition. I have made them before but often do not complete them, or even bother remember to look back on my list at the end of the year. I remember making a list of resolutions at the start of this year but I have no idea what I did with it. However, in the spirit of new years I will learn from my mistakes and move forward!

1. Make GOOD resolutions. This is the most important thing when it comes to making resolutions. Some people get carried away and they make resolutions for the sake of resolutions. “I will climb a mountain”, “I will learn to juggle”. Stop and think about it. Some resolutions are like clouds or grassy meadows, they look scenic and perfect from afar, put when you get up close they are itchy, wet and uncomfortable and you wish you had stayed at home. Do you really really really want to learn to juggle?

2. Make them realistic. Everyone says this over and over. One year I think I made a resolution to become free from gravity. hrm… Making unrealistic goals makes you feel guilty and unworthy because you havent lived up to impossible standards. One of the most unrealistic pledges are the “every day” or “never” resolution. “I will never eat chocolate”, “I will run every day“, “I will wake up early every day“, “I will never lose my temper”. These never work because as soon as you sleep in just one day, you have already failed, and it is impossible to compleate the resolution. Instead of this, make a list of things you want to do regularly or neverly. And aim to slowly improve, doing these things more or less regularly.

3. Put them in an obvious place. Out of sight, out of mind. The greatest killer of resolutions is that they are easily forgotten. I am planing on making a little poster I can put near my computer. I also think I’ll make a little book of resolutions I can carry in my wallet. This way they will be constantly in my mind, I will always be thinking, “hrm, which goal should I do next” and I will keep myself focused on where I want to go, and not get distracted.

4. Stay accountable. If you go running with somebody, you will run further, longer, faster, than if you were just to run by yourself. If would be a cool idea to swap lists with a friend and you can meet and compare at the end of the year. You better make this one of your resolutions too, so you will remember to do it!

5. Organize your list. This might not go down for everyone, but it is something I have done this year which I think will really help me. I have categorized my list. they include, Practices: things I want to develop as daily/weekly practices. Gradual things: Things to develop over time, eg: Use less internet and Keep a clean space. Big Projects: My big goals, like writing my book and starting my charity with Justin. Medium projects: Go vegetarian for a month, act in a play. Small projects: Make a motivation poster, sleep under the stars. I’ve also got Date Specific Singulars: Events, Competitions, Festivals and Workshops I need to remember to participate in next year. Obviously the categorys will change for everyone. But I think this makes it easier to wrap your head around your list.

6. Have fun. Remember to include a liberal sprinkling of fun and exciting goals. If the only things on your list are: loose weight, quit smoking and wake up at 6 every morning, then you will grow to resent the list and quite possibly flush it down the toilet at some stage in 2008. Resolutions are the stepping stones to the happier you. That is what it comes down to. So start resolving to make yourself happier.

7. Don’t set limits. I don’t know about you, but I have more things then I can possibly achieve in one year. I was thinking about participating in the 101 in 1001 challenge where I complete 101 goals in 1001 days, (which is almost 3 years). But I’ve decided I don’t want to set due dates for myself. It makes one feel panicky and a little powerless. I think one should strive to work towards achieving their goals on a regular basis. You can feel when you are making progress, and as long as you are constantly experiencing a sense of momentum, then that is enough.