Get a Life!: Taking time off

This is one of those rare weeks when Hanukah, Kwanzaa and Christmas occur during the same period of time. Federal workers get a 4-day weekend this year and maybe even a few hours more as offices often permit early departures the day before Christmas. I, too, will take some time off and will join you again in 2009.

Meanwhile, if you are thinking ahead, some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions are also some of the most obvious, according to this page at the government's usa.gov Web site.  This site even links to other sites that give information and tips on how to follow through on each resolution.

Topping the list are familiar ones: Losing weight, managing debt, saving money, getting fit, eating right and drinking less, getting a better job, reducing stress at work. We all probably can find something on the list to pick for ourselves. 

The trick to making and keeping resolutions, according to experts, is not to make too many and to pick something attainable within a reasonable time frame. Also, if you have broken resolutions in the past, you should still try again on the theory “if at first you don’t succeed...”  Sometimes writing down the resolution gives it more focus.  

Most importantly, if your efforts just don’t work out, forgive yourself.

The coming year promises many new challenges and changes, personally and professionally.  Don’t worry, if it didn’t, we would all be pretty bored. 

Best wishes for the holiday and New Year!