Resolution time! Or not...

Every year, I find myself thinking of the same resolution: Eat healthy, exercise more, reduce stress. And every year I see no real change.

I started telling myself, "Just say NO to resolutions." Year after year, I'd feel terrible about dropping the ball on so many worthy life changes. So, why not set an ideal? If I didn't do it all, it's just an ideal. My "ideal" for the last few years has been to live better. That's easy to say and do at least part of the time. I did live better in January, April and June. What excuse do I have for the other times? Laziness, too much work stress, too much kid stress??? How would I do right by ME?

After reading business book "Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done" (Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan), I figured I needed to set up realistic quarterly goals for my life (it is MY business). So here goes my first quarter plan (still need to figure out the rest of the year) to live better with less stress:

-Sort through kids clothes and toys at least quarterly, but ideally after any purchase. Donate or dump items no longer needed. This will help me help them keep their rooms cleaner, reducing my need to yell at them to clean their rooms.

-Keep a better inventory of holiday decorations. Sticking a note in the bin is of no help when you come across a sale and later learn you have duplicates. Keep list on computer for easy access. Also, toss out broken or burnt out items yearly to prevent wasting time. Remove those items from your inventory.

-Don't buy anything unless it's a need, even if the sale is amazing. Wants must be evaluated for overall value. Remember, too much stuff creates clutter. Clutter creates messes, and messes create stress.

-Value experience over things. Things clutter our home; photos of our experiences only clutter our computer.

-Stop getting take out and reduce dining out. We can eat healthier if we don't chow down on high fat, high sodium foods.

-Plan out meals. Cook in advance and freeze if necessary. This will prevent the urge to get takeout or to eat cereal for dinner.

-Plan exercise around socializing. Take evening walks with husband or kids. Put these walks on your schedule. Plan to attend yoga or kick boxing with friends to keep you from making an excuse not to go.

Maybe I'll add a few more items. And maybe I should start now...

Cheers!