It's that time of year when we look back at the past 12 months and set some goals for the upcoming year - maybe it's one of these top 10 New Year's resolutions.
Quit smoking
Or drinking. Or binging on Carl's Jr. We all have our evil little vices, and the New Year is the perfect time to finally put an end to them. Don't just give up these habits cold turkey - make sure to replace them with something healthier (like treating yourself to old-fashioned shave instead of a combo meal or a six-pack).
Join the gym
This is probably one of the most popular resolutions, and gyms know this - that's why they always offer great deals on memberships in January. So take advantage of the savings and the added health benefits and join the gym... then, stick to it. Schedule in time during your week when you know you'll have time to go and workout.
Save money
Sick of being in debt? Want to start saving those pennies for something bigger, like a vacation? Then let 2011 be the year that you become financially responsible. Open a savings account and arrange to have a certain amount automatically withdrawn and deposited there. Cut out one expense from your daily routine, like that morning latte from Starbucks. It will all add up!
Lose weight
If you join the gym, as mentioned above, you'll kill two birds with one stone. But losing weight also involves some self-control when it comes to food intake, so get rid of all that processed food in your cupboards and freezer on New Year's Day and start fresh.
Get organized
Perhaps 2011 is the year you become more efficient, and by getting organized, you'll easily achieve this. Clean out your closets, buy a calendar and agenda (or learn how to finally use the organizer on your phone) - a few small steps will make a big difference.
Find love
Everyone is in search of that special someone, but you've become lazy when it comes to putting in the effort to date. Make a New Year's resolution to attend a few singles events, sign up to a reliable online dating site, or just get out of your living room and office more than once a week!
Take a class
Why not kick-start the year by vowing to learn something new? Maybe you've wanted to further your education, or
you've just always been interested in cooking or martial arts. Sign up for a class! You'll expand your mind and probably meet some cool people with similar interests.
Give back
We all want to do something to give back to our communities, but few of us actually make the effort to do so. Well, 2011 can be different - there are nursing homes, schools with after-care programs in need of tutors, soup kitchens, and hospitals in every city. Reach out to them and find out how you can contribute.
Spend time with family
Have you been thinking back on the year and you feel a tad guilty for not making it to more Sunday dinners with the family? Learn from the past and commit to spend more quality time with loved ones on a regular basis.
Reduce stress
Workaholics unite! It's time to start turning off those BlackBerrys, closing the laptops, and taking some time to do non-stressful activities. Stress can completely overtake your life, so make a resolution to cut down on it in 2011 (that vacation you're saving up for can help!).
Photo source: Las Vegas News Bureau
