Twists on a Common Practice: New Year's Resolutions

I find it beneficial to really look at myself and my potential at least once a year (be it January, June, or October) and write down some life goals. This pursuit is undertaken with one understanding: Life is a journey, not a destination - so if I don't make real headway until six months from now (or even in a year or two), that's okay. I've written them down because it's important to me to keep the goals in sight, not to torture myself that I said I'd do them and haven't yet.

Some years I write them down just like a New Year's Resolution List--even title it as such. But this year, I came across two twists on this practice that I like better than the "Resolution List".

The first a list of your own commandments--a list of phrases, words, and insights that will help you to be your best self (see http://www.happinessproject.typepad.com/). Below is just the beginning of my list...

1. Know Thyself, but more than that: Be Thyself.
2. Low hanging fruit does not make the best pie.
3. See perfection for what it is: unattainable. (And that’s okay.)
4. Seek out meaningful human relationships.
5. Ask questions.

The second is "Forget New Year's Resolutions, Make 52 New Week's Resolutions" by CurtRosengren. I'm sure this is much like Stephen Covey's 7th Habit - Sharpen the Saw. But what always stresses me about the "Sharpen the Saw" when I'm thinking about change is that I don't feel ready to tackle several parts every week (at least not in the beginning). So this is more free form and freeing to me.

So those are my New Year's Tools. Here's to a year of new journeys for everyone--enjoy the path!