Top tips for a great 2008

Whatever you have aspired to do this year, you’re not alone if it is already proving a tough intent to follow. The New Year, loaded with anticipation and expectation, is not good news for all of us. But every journey starts with a single step, and it doesn’t have to be big one.

Did you make those oh so sensible New Year’s Resolutions? Was it really your last cigarette? Will your gym membership prove financially justified in 2008? Will you change those habits of a lifetime and spend more time doing the stuff that makes you happy? Will you bite the bullet and make the important decisions that mean that your career will be truly satisfying? Did you mean it when you said you’d spend more time with the kids?…

We asked some of our team here what their advice was for making sure that 2008 didn’t leave them disappointed.

• Andy’s top advice: “Make loads of resolutions - you’re bound to stick to at least one. And then be very smug about it.”
• Victoria takes a more pragmatic approach: “Take each month as it comes - start with an objective for January and then build it up over the months. That way your unachievable goal for 2008 becomes more achievable during the year.”
• Will quotes 17th century philosopher David Hume: “Hope is the worst kind of illusion for it simply prolongs the misery of man.” (I think Will means that being happy with the way you are is, in itself, an achievement, so don’t give yourself a hard time. – Ed)
• Alison said, “Don’t drink on a school night unless you’ve got guests. And don’t forget you also resolved to catch up with your good friends more often!”
• Neill reckons, “Leave the de-tox til February. In January your body needs all the warm winter food, such as hot soups and jacket spuds. If you de-tox in February your body will be in a much better shape to achieve the results that you really want.”
• Genevieve takes the whole thing very seriously, but this is pretty cool: “I used to make resolutions whilst full of New Year cheer, but then conveniently forget them as the weeks and months went by. So now I turn them into art - by painting them onto a canvas or framing a print. My wall gets a new piece of art every year and I have a constant motivator. I achieved all five of my 2007 resolutions!”
• And Brian advised, “Cut up one store card or credit card and pay it off this year. Then identify one change you can make easily at home which will improve your environmental standing - create a compost bin, or return all unwanted mail to the sender.”
• Stef kept it nice and simple. “Don’t try and change everything all at once, just focus on your primary goal and do lots of little things towards it rather than one big thing.”
• And Elvira made it even simpler, “Don’t make any resolutions.”

Just a note of caution - we cannot be held responsible for the merits of this advice, but there’s bound to be one idea that fits your bill. Here’s to a great 2008!