Top 10 New Year Resolutions For 2009

New Years Eve is right around the corner which for most of us means trying to stay up until midnight to have our annual champagne toast, and ringing in the new year with a select group of family and friends. I usually try to stay away from making new year’s resolutions, since I rarely accomplish any of them. This year, I will try a different approach. Set easily obtainable goals, and feel the sense of accomplishment. Here are my top 10 goals or resolutions for 2009:

1. Try to wake up each day before noon. I would like to say I will rise with the sun, and head off to the gym to workout. Let’s be serious with ourselves, at best that will last a week or two. I will try anyway, and keep you all up to date with my progress.

2. Try to switch my over-consumption of soft drinks to water. They say you should drink 8 glasses of water each day for good health. I have more than that amount of Dr.Pepper, Snapple, Iced Teas, and other soft drinks on a daily basis. Empty calories, cut them out. Sorry 7-11 and AM/PM, you will have to find another sucker to increase your sales.

3. Limit fast food trips to twice a week. I spend a lot of time and money eating out, and my midsection is paying the price. By eating at home more often, I will eat better and save money in the process. I must still allow myself a few treats now and then, so two trips to Extreme Pita will keep me happy each week.

4. Spend more time volunteering, and less time complaining. Action speaks louder than words, and I know that when you give back to your community you feel a whole lot better than just complaining about what is wrong with it. If you need ideas, go to the Mira Mesa HEROES website to lend a hand.

5. Be a better person. Yes, this is very vague and hard to measure. I will try to be a little more understanding, patient, polite, and helpful to others. I have a 5 year old son, and I want to be a good example for him to follow. Being a better Father, Husband, and Friend is a great goal to have. You may have to ask my Son, Wife, and Friends in December if I have reached this one.

6. Try not to swear as much. I wouldn’t say I have a potty mouth, but it can easily slip from time to time. Now that my son knows the good words from the bad ones, I would rather not have him repeat the bad ones from me. One of my favorite sayings is “When the child curses, slap the parents”.

7. Set a budget and keep to it. I can’t blame anyone else for my economic situation. I was raised on the principle of if you want something bad enough, you will save for it. There is a difference between wants and needs. I have a whole garage full of wants, and now I need them to go to someone else’s house. If only I had used the K.I.S.S. method – Keep It Simple Stupid.

8. Make someone smile or laugh every day. I feel like I was put on Earth to make other people happy, and when I make someone smile it makes me happy. When you smile, it becomes contageous.

9. Read more and watch T.V. less. I have a bad habit of plopping down in front of the T.V. and not getting up until I am too tired to do anything else. There are so many better things to do with my time, and I still want to keep my mind sharp as I get older.

10. Actually go into the gym and work out. I have had a couple of times when I drove to the gym, then talked myself out of working out and went for breakfast instead. I pay monthly to keep in shape, and I convince myself daily that fat people are jolly and it is a better way to be. If you see me at 24 hour fitness in January, say Hi and give me encouragement to keep coming back.

I wouldn’t recommend 10 resolutions to anyone, but since this is my favorite thing to do each week
writing my Top 10 lists, I feel I should give it a go. Peace be with you all, and Happy New Year Mira Mesa!