A Later than expected Happy New Year

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions - Have you made and not kept?

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends.
Recent polls show that more than 50% of people say they will spend more time with their family this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening take the Family out more often, and spend time NOT money on them.

2. Fit in Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better – But I hate going to the gym, how about you?

3. Do something different this year
The number of obese people has doubled in the UK since 1980, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors. I for one find long term weight loss difficult, too much bacon or sausages at breakfast.

4. Stop Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stop smoking, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. But one thing influences your ability to quit, you. If you really want to quit, you will. If you think you should quit and you give it a go, you probably won’t succeed. You must be in a state of mind that says enough is enough to be successful.

5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! The key is time and how you make time in a busy schedule for enjoyment. Hobbies and interest groups are a great idea, they provide focus and momentum. I read recently that singing is one of the best ways to stimulate the brains ability, so sing in the shower in the morning (the family will get used to it one day)

6. Cut back on alcohol
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. A trick my uncle used when he was a pub landlord was a green highlighter on the pub calendar. He coloured in every days square when he had not had alcohol. In the pub trade that was some feet. When the regulars asked him about it, they provided the impetus for him to drink even less.

7. Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

8. Attend more networking events
WE have all said at one time or another “I must go to so and so event it will be good for my business” The truth is business usually gets in the way. Attending Networking events weekly, fortnightly or monthly is time spent working on your business, and should be seen is an investment into your future. So invest a little more in 2010

9. Help Others
Volunteering can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local old peoples centre, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many non-profit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Working with others gives you such a buzz and a feeling of giving something back to your community, try it.

10. Get Organized
How many of us have said over the years “I must get organised this year”? I have and my desk still looks like a war zone. Top tips for organising yourself are listed on the net in their thousands, so I am not about to preach here. The only tip I will give you is that. Whatever method yiu chose, make sure you follow it and don’t take short cuts or get lazy. If your system says file everything the moment you have finished with it – File it. I have got better over the years and I now keep the clutter down to manageable piles, and yes I could do better

Remember New Years Resolutions are goals and you should treat whatever you decide as a goal and you have a better probability of success.

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