I’ve always rolled my eyes at New Years resolutions. Mostly because, they don’t work. Sure, people end up exercising for a couple of days, maybe even a week… but by the time February 1st rolls around they’re just as lazy as before. So, because everyone around me always failed, I figured why set myself up for failure? I won’t even make resolutions.

And what makes the new year different than any other day of the year, other than the fact you have to buy a new calendar? The days are still 24 hours long, and there’s still 7 days in a week. There’s not even a seasonal change to mark the occasion — just the flipping of a calendar page.

Even though that’s all said, I am beginning to see the symbolism a new year has in peoples lives. There are those who want to leave the hard or troubling year behind, and instead have hope for what the future holds. That’s admirable to me. I want to be a part of that, though I wouldn’t consider 2007 to have been a bad year.

So, without further ado, my first New Years Resolutions since I was in grade school (because it was required by the teacher for a writing assignment).

1. I resolve to blog more content.
   There are two pieces to that resolution: more & content. As I pointed out in the first post of the rebirth of DevilishDuck in November, I want to blog everyday. I know that’s not going to happen, but I want to try. But not only do I want to blog everyday, I want to blog real content and not just regurgitating links and youtube videos like half the blogs out there. What it boils down to is this, I want to continue doing what the month of December was for this blog.
2. I resolve to watch less television.
   I watch way too much tv. It’s almost always on as background noise. In fact, as I type this resolution the fourth quarter of the Sugar Bowl is playing in the background, a game I long lost interest in as it’s a blow out. Instead I need to turn it off, enjoy the silence or listen to more music. I’ll still watch the shows I enjoy, but instead of channel surfing to find a re-run of The Office or Family Guy that I’ve seen five times, I’ll just turn it off.
3. I resolve to read more books.
   I enjoy reading books, which is something I wouldn’t have said a year ago today. But in the last year, I’ve begun reading for fun, mostly books on the emerging church or politics, but it’s been good. Now, it’s time to turn up the notch from one or two books a month, or reading in spurts, to a more frequent and higher intensity. I won’t vow to do a book a week, or so many pages/chapters a night, I just resolve to read more books.
4. I resolve to get my web design company off the ground.
   Since June, when I decided to start Legendary Five Design, the web page has said “coming soon.” I’ve accepted side projects from friends doing some, and neglecting others. It’s time I get this thing going. I need to stop telling myself I’m not good enough to do freelance work. I’ll never learn unless I dive in. So now is the time.
5. I resolve to become more confident.
   I have a pride issue. I’m not sure where it stems from, but I really need to work on it. I will do things, and surround myself with people who will help me become a more confident person. I’ve done the sheepish, “I’m not good enough” act for too long. It’s time for me to grow a pair.
6. I resolve to work out more.
   And there it is: the cliche resolution you were all waiting for. I won’t say everyday, I won’t say three days a week, I won’t say anything. Not so I won’t fail, but because I know what I have to do to work out more, and I know that I can do it. Not because it’s a resolution, but because I enjoy swimming, and sometimes even running. I enjoy lifting weights once the initial couple days of pain subsides. Working out is not a challenge once I’m over that initial hill, so I resolve to get to the top of that hill and see where it goes from there.

So, that’s it. A pretty reasonable list that I feel is completely achievable. What have you resolved to do this year? Or are you like I was, rolling my eyes every time someone mentioned a resolution?

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