My New Year's Resolutions

Over the years, I've had mixed success making and keeping New Year's resolutions. This year I'm going to do it right. I did some research and found some helpful hints from Quirkology for achieving New Year's resolutions:

1. Plan ahead - Don't wait until New Year's Eve to think about your resolution.

Oops... too late for that, I guess.

2. Avoid previous resolutions –Choose something new, or approach an old problem in a new way. For example, instead of trying to lose 20 pounds, try exercising more.

I think I get it! Rather than drinking less wine, my resolution will be to have fewer hangovers.

3. Be specific – Think through exactly what you are going to do, where you are going to do it, and at what time. For example, instead of saying that you will go running two days of the week, tell yourself that you will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm.

OK!   I'll have fewer hangovers between 6 am and 10 am. 

And no peanut butter cups on odd days of the calendar.

4. Make it personal - Don’t run with the crowd and go with the usual resolutions. Instead think about what you really want out of life, so think about finishing that novel, or learning to play an instrument, rather than just losing weight and getting to the gym.

No problem. I will master towel origami to the point that my elephant is not mistaken for a worm.

5. Go public
- Many people keep their New Year's Resolutions to themselves. Unfortunately, this makes it all too easy to simply forget about them. Instead, go public. Tell your friends, family and colleagues about your resolutions, and ask them to provide you with helpful nudges to assist you in achieving your goals.

Listen up, everyone! In 2011:

1. I will have fewer hangovers, 

2. I will eat peanut butter cups only on even days of the calendar, and

3. I will master towel origami to the point that my elephants are no longer mistaken for worms.

But I can't modify these resolutions. Case in point: a couple years ago I gave up wine for Lent. After a few days I modified it: I gave up drinking wine by myself during Lent. A couple days later it was modified again: I gave up drinking more than 1 glass of wine by myself during Lent.

And (no surprise) I made it to Easter without a problem!

I worry most about my third resolution. Keep me honest, everyone. Don't let me modify it.

Oh no. I can feel the temptation growing. Here it comes:

I will master towel origami to the point that my elephant looks like a towel. 

I think I need a nudge.