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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
OK, the gifts are unwrapped, and now you have a decision to make. What do you do with the gift(s) you received that don’t fit, are the wrong color, or are just not you? Or, maybe you received some gift cards or perhaps even cold, hard cash.
Selfish Is Good
If you are like most people you will spend at least some time in the next week or two visiting the local mall to exchange gifts or buy something with the cash or gift card you received. Instead of just buying something that would be “neat to have” or getting another pair of shoes, why not invest in yourself? Here are a few post-holiday shopping tips that could help you achieve more life success in 2008 and beyond:
- Buy a book on a subject you have always been interested in- Try something new. Maybe you have wanted to learn a new language, or learn how to play an instrument. Perhaps you want to start a new hobby or learn more about history. Whatever you are interested in there is probably a book to help you.
- Improve your job skills- One of the best ways to improve your life is to do a better job at your job. I’m assuming that you enjoy what you do. If not, see #3 below. If you do enjoy your work, learning how to do your job better can make you more money without increasing your hours worked. Maybe there is a seminar or conference that you can attend that will give you new skills or allow you to network within your field. There are lots of options. Find something that works for you and enjoy the benefits of working smarter.
- Explore a new career- If you are not happy with your career, do something about it! Working at a job you don’t enjoy just isn’t worth it. Use some of your extra holiday cash to begin the process of exploring alternatives. Join a professional association of the field you are interested in, begin the education process needed to switch careers, or even just start your “career transition” fund that can provide a cushion when you eventually change jobs.
- Plan a quality vacation- Vacation time is important. Taking time away from the everyday is vital to our overall health. Instead of another year doing the same old, same old, explore some exciting alternatives! Use some of the cash you received to visit a place you have never been before, or just do something different at your regular vacation spot. You don’t have to travel the world to have a nice vacation, there are plenty of alternatives close by. It just takes a little research. Start your research now and you will be a vacation hero to your family this year!
Get Creative
These are just a few possibilites. There are many, many more. Just think about what you would like to change and see if there is a way to get started sooner rather than later. Maybe you can even get a jump start on your 2008 commitments before January 1st.