New Years Resolution Idea

Everyone is too busy to do anything. They never have time. It's true that there are only 24 hours in a day. However, even assuming you spend 10 hours a day working (8 plus commute) and 8 hours sleeping, which most people don't. That's 6 hours to do everything else. And then you need to eat, clean up, take care of the kids, talk on the phone with your mom, pay the bills, mow the lawn, fix the tractor...fine, come up with all sorts of things to do. The truth is, we all spend a lot of time doing nothing worthwhile.

The me qualify "worthwhile" a little. I don't think that watching your favorite TV show is not worthy of your time - I think that watching your favorite 4 TV shows every night isn't. I don't think you need to spend 2 hours every day reading every sports article on espn.com or si.com. (guilty as charged, but we all have our own websites that we over-visit).

So here's an idea for the New Year. It probably won't take you more than an hour, and you'll see why in a second. But you'll feel a lot better about yourself and you'll probably be surprised in the change that you see.

1. Take 20 minutes a day to better yourself, physically.
I don't care what you consider this. Jog. Walk. Swim. Bike. Lift weights. Do Wii Fit. Dance DDR. Whatever it is, get physically active. If we did something, ANYthing for 20 minutes a day, we'd all be healthier.

2. Take 20 minutes a day to better yourself, mentally.
This doesn't just mean to keep your mind active. Learn something. Read an interesting book, not just an entertaining one. Better yourself by learning a new language or a new skill. If you're into cooking, learn how to cook something new. If you're into politics, read up on a subject you don't quite understand. If you're into music, learn a new instrument or a new song. Doing something that you've never done before will keep your mind active.

3. Take 20 minutes a day to better yourself, socially.
Play with your kids or visit your parents. Call an old friend. Talk to your significant other. Do anything with them, just don't do it alone. Even an AIM conversation is better than nothing.

4. Take 20 minutes a day to better yourself, spiritually.
Whatever your religion is, 20 minutes of thoughtful reflection will help you relax and remain calm. Pray, reflect, whatever you want to call it. Just try to make time for it.

This sounds like a lot, but it really isn't. Most of us do probably two of these daily at least. And sometimes, you can exercise socially or even pray socially and kill two birds with one stone. Knowing that you're keeping your body in shape, your mind learning, your spiritual life thriving, and your social network active will give anyone a confidence boost. Most of us are strong in two or maybe even three of these things, but the fourth is our Achilles Heel. Doing the fourth one is our true New Years Resolution.

Now it's time for me to try to practice what I preach. We'll see how that works out.