Local residents share their New Year’s resolutions

By BECCA MURPHEY

What are New Year’s resolutions?

In my opinion, they are the goals one sets for themselves to become a better, healthier individual in the new year.

Unfortunately it doesn’t always work out the way it’s expected it to.

Take me for example. Every year I find myself so excited, full of energy just thinking about all the things I am going to do.

And each year, it’s for real. I really am going to do all the things I put on my list.

Then a few days pass and I find myself saying, ‘I’ll start tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day.’

This year I made my list, and then I turned to the experts for some help.

After doing some research, I found a few tips to help people like myself keep the resolutions that were made on New Year’s.

Experts say there are three things that people can do to help keep their resolutions.

First, write down the resolutions. Next, share each of the goals with others. And finally, track the progress that is being made.

My resolutions this year are to maintain a 4.0 in graduate school and to start exercising.

The grades I’m fairly confident are not a problem. The exercising, now that’s a whole other story.

We’ll see if the experts are right. Steps one and two, complete.

Research shows that women only have a 10 percent success rate at reaching their goals when they tell others about their resolutions. Even then, they must have people around them to support them according to a study done by Quirkology, The Curious Science of Everyday Lives.

However, those researchers also found that men have a tendency to fulfill their goals 22 percent more if they actually set goals and track their progress.

Ladies, that’s not looking very good for us.

Resolutions are as different as the people that make them. They range from falling in love, to volunteering, to sky-diving and to get a job.

In the last two years some of the most popular resolutions were lose weight, get out of debt, learn a new language, and get organized, according to RISMedia.com and 43things.com.

For 2010, the most popular resolutions are quite similar to those seen in recent year.

According to goalsguy.com the top five most popular resolutions are:

• Lose weight and get in better physical shape;

• Stick to a budget;

• Debt reduction;

• Enjoy more quality time with family & friends;

• Find my soul mate.

The staff at the Pilot, as well as our friends, neighbors and community members, would like to share our resolutions for 2010.

Here’s what we had to say:

Sherry Whatley, Avon Representative: “I want to better the lives of women by opening new doors and giving them the opportunity to take charge of their lives by creating a new career with Avon.”

Kathi Nailling, General Manager, Cedar Creek Pilot: “I would like to get more organized,

Holly Stewart, Century 21, Evans Realtors: “My New Year’s resolution is to greet the Wal Mart greeters that greet me everyday with a smile.”

Linda Fernald, Sales Executive, Cedar Creek Pilot: “Find a way to have less stress in my life and lose weight.”

Art Lawler, News Editor: “I’m going to lose weight.”

Linda Flores, A-One Marble Co., Inc.: “I want to praise more to the people that deserve it and complain less.”

Donna Willard, Graphic Artist, Cedar Creek Pilot: “I would like to lose weight, and do more things with my children.”

Joey Lindaman, Fire Chief, Gun Barrel City: “To increase the public’s awareness of fire safety and prevention.”

Rebecca Murphey, Reporter, Cedar Creek Pilot: “ I would like to maintain a 4.0 in graduate school, start exercising, and get revenge on one local practical joker.”

Charles Stiff, Photographer, Cedar Creek Pilot: “I am going to smile more.”



Email Becca Murphey at reporter@cedarcreekpilot.com.