The new year is around the corner, and that means it’s time for…new year’s resolutions! I was curious what the most popular new year’s resolutions are, so I did some research. These are some of the most common ones I found:

• Lose Weight
• Get Organized
• Spend less, save more
• Enjoy life to the fullest
• Stay fit and healthy
• Learn something exciting
• Quit smoking
• Help others in their dreams
• Fall in love
• Spend more time with family

One thing I noticed they all have in common? They’re vague! What does “getting organized” really mean? Is it enough if I clean my room once at the beginning of the year? How about “staying fit and healthy?” Is it enough to buy a gym membership and stop going to McDonalds every day?

Often, we make new year’s resolutions that are hard to keep. One way to help yourself achieve your goals is by making them specific and realistic. Exactly how much money do you want to save? How often do you hope to exercise each week? How often do you want to see your friends and family? Are these goals realistic based on your current lifestyle, or do you need to make some lifestyle changes?

After doing some serious thinking, I came up with this list of resolutions:

• Read 12 new books (1 each month!)
• Visit a state I’ve never been to before
• Walk to work at least 3 times a week
• Host a dinner party
• Drink a full glass of water with every meal

What are your new year’s resolutions? Make a list and share it with a friend. That way you can keep each other accountable and support each other as you try to achieve your goals!

– Anna