I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. Never have, never will.

I do, of course, believe in self-improvement, accomplishing new things, and the like. But I have a different method. I set rules for myself. Rules that I do not break — ever. The secret for living by the rules is to make them specific and manageable. Why set a generic resolution to “lose weight,” when I can set a concrete rule to “work out no less than three times per week.” Why tell myself I’ll floss every single day when I know I’m bound to forget here and there? Instead, the rule is to floss every other day. Success!

On the first day of each new year I create new rules to add to the old (and adapt the old, if necessary). After a few years of following this method, here is my list.

- Floss every other night

- Work out no less than four times per week

- Eat at least three fruits/vegetables a day

- Soda only once per month

- Scriptures every night — even if it’s just one verse

- Wear my retainer once a week

- Read at least one book each month

The list may be short, but the rules are perfectly attainable. When I look back at the end of the year I have no feelings of failure — I’m a complete success!

We all have plans to make changes for the new year. What are yours? Which of you have had successes (or failures!) in years past? What are your methods?

Related posts:

1. How to Succeed in Life Without . . .With Really Trying
2. A new crown, no prospects of royalty and today’s a new day
3. Season’s Greetings – yikes!