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The No-Resolution Resolutions

Almost half of us go through the yearly ritual of New Year's resolutions -- a gift to self that keeps on giving ... year after year after year. After all, why do we feel the need to refresh our resolutions on an annual basis?

Probably because only about 8 percent 0f resolutions can be declared successful at the one-year mark. Hey, 8 percent is better than 0 percent, but it's still not a blockbusting victory rate.

According to the Journal Of Clinical Psychology, here are 2014's most popular resolutions:

1
Lose Weight
2
Getting Organized
3
Spend Less, Save More
4
Enjoy Life to the Fullest
5
Staying Fit and Healthy
6
Learn Something Exciting
7
Quit Smoking
8
Help Others in Their Dreams
9
Fall in Love
10
Spend More Time with Family

Not bad when you think about it. The easiest resolutions are the ones that tend to be the most broad and least rigid. The problem, however, is that those broad and least-rigid really don't provide a roadmap to success. So, you need to come up with a plan.

As for me, I'm not much of a resolution guy -- although every month I do tend to ask myself, okay, what stinks. and what can I do better?

It all means everyone has got their own style: no resolutions, lots of resolutions, a few, easy, hard, flexible, and so forth.

If you're happy and good to go, good for you.

But, if you could use a little doctor advice on some specific "Non-resolution Resolutions", I would suggest the following. They are easy, specific, and clear. And all good for you. Choose one... or all.

1. Eat one more fruit or vegetable each day.

2. Get at least one health screen that you've blown off in years past. ie mammogram, pap, colonoscopy.

3. Know your blood pressure.

4. Lend me a vein, so I can check your cholesterol ( blood fats) and blood sugar.

5. Stretch for 5 minutes in front of the TV every night

6. Weigh yourself once a week.

7. Get all of your medical records ... meaning copies for yourself. You never know when you'll change docs or an office will close.

8. I'm done (even though I've got a bunch more.)

And I don't even want to call them resolutions -- let's just say they are smart lifestyle things that confirm the fact you are one brilliant, savvy person.

A nice complement -- and acknowledgment -- to start a new year.

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