Entries from December 2007 ↓

For many of you it is 2008 already and for the rest of us it will be soon.  So I say to all of you…Happy New Year!  Please be safe in your celebrations.

When we wake up on January 1st we will have an entire year ahead of us to improve our lives in whatever way we want.  An open book in which we can write.  Many of us have made, or plan to make, commitments to ourselves to improve or change areas of our lives for the better.  Whether it is to eat better, stop smoking, find a new job, spend more time with family or friends, or any number of other things, make sure you take each day as it comes. 

Don’t try to do everything at once as that is usually a recipe for failure.  Enjoy the progress you make and learn from any setbacks you may have along the way.  Take time to reflect each day on your progress and always evaluate events in your life within the context of what you are versus where you want to be.

I will do my best to provide helpful and practical information you can use to improve your life day by day.  If you want to see a particular area addressed or have some tips on how I can improve this site, please let me know.

Enjoy the last fleeting hours of this year and get ready to succeed next year!

New Year’s eve is just around the corner. If you are like most people, you will be attending or hosting a party to ring in the new year. A few precautions and a little thinking ahead will ensure that your New Year’s eve celebration will be a positive experience. Most of you have heard much of this before, but sometimes repetition is a good thing:

1. If you are going to drink, don’t drive!- Plain and simple, drinking and driving don’t mix. Make sure you have a designated driver or a taxi/limo to get you home safe. If you are hosting a party, take the initiative and make sure that your guests have a safe means of getting home. If they don’t, offer to let them stay the night or call a taxi.
2. Monitor your alcohol consumption- Even if you won’t be driving, make sure to monitor your consumption of alcohol. Hangovers are not fun (speaking from personal experience a long time ago). Why struggle through the 1st day of the new year with a pounding headache and upset stomach? A tip that has helped my wife and I many a time is to alternate alcohol and water. Drink a large glass of water or other non-alcoholic beverage between alcoholic beverages. Trust me, nobody will notice so don’t feel like you are a party spoiler if you do this. If you are hosting the party make sue to have a few sparkling waters as well as cranberry juice, pop, etc.
3. Make sure to eat- Eating enough during the holiday season is usually not a problem. Just make sure to eat if you are drinking. Hopefully there will be semi-healthy foods like nuts and veggies available. If not, try to eat at least a little food between your drinks. You want food in your stomach to help absorb the alcohol.
4. Focus on the people, not the drinks- New Year’s is about new beginnings. Use the party you are attending as a way to meet new people and renew old friendships. If you focus on learning something new from the people you meet you will have a great time and be less likely to over indulge.

Have fun this New Year’s eve but remember to think ahead a little before heading out to celebrate. There is no reason to start the new year with a hangover, or worse, an arrest record. Make some smart decisions and start the new year happy and healthy.

May everyone have a safe and happy new year!

A couple of days ago I posted my 2008 commitments to give you an example of the type of things I am looking to do in the new year. I know for me that if I “tell it to the world” I am more likely to follow through.

What about you? Have you thought about what you are going to improve upon in your life for 2008? If so, why not share it with the world (or at least the small group of people that read this blog). You never know, you might get some great ideas from someone else or list something that you are going to accomplish that inspires someone else.

So, tell us what you are doing, or not, for 2008.

I am looking forward to your replies!