KEY POINTS:
By now, most of you will have made a new set of New Year resolutions and - just four days into the new year - many of you are sure to have blown them by having just a "small" puff on a cigarette, gorging on "just one" petrol
station pie or by having sex with a prostitute.
Other than perhaps the last scenario, there is nothing really to be ashamed of here, because you are not alone.
If you have failed to stick to your resolution plan, in all likelihood it was overly ambitious.
New Year's resolutions are often made when a person is excited, drunk or, in recent years, on P, so understandably they tend to be a little far-fetched.
To be meaningful, resolutions should be small positive changes to your life that are actually achievable.
On New Year's Eve, I put a lot of thought into my resolutions and came up with a list of achievable changes, which I believe will enhance my life.
Health and fitness
This year, I am going to stop procrastinating and commit to getting my wife back into shape post the birth of our two children. I am sick of all the excuses; it's time to get the bikini body back and there is no excuse for jeans that "muffin" at the top.
This is an unselfish resolution because everybody benefits once we achieve our goal.
I plan on getting outdoors a little more; making the most of what New Zealand has to offer by installing a large ranch-slider door off the lounge.
Later in the year, I may even add a second ranch-slider on the south side of the house giving us the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living.
Alcohol
Like many people I have committed to drinking less this year. Research has proven that an all-or-nothing or cold turkey type of approach seldom works, so it's best to be realistic and cut down in certain areas. I will continue to drink socially but cut down on the drinking at work.
Relationships
Family is important so this year I am I committing in principle to going along to at least one of my wife's marriage-counselling sessions with her.
Again, another unselfish resolution because it involves other people and the whole family can benefit.
They say "You only live once" so this year I am committed to not being so false. I will not pretend to be interested in what other people are up to or are doing with their lives.
Instead, I will commit to talking about myself a lot more at social gatherings and in my columns. I am also going to criticise other people a little more. I am going to make a conscious effort to never get a single round of beer this year. (This was one of the most-popular resolutions for many males in 2007/2008).
This year, I am committed to being less cocky and to earning less money.
Success
I am committed to being more successful or at least appearing to be more successful. To do this, I intend to make a greater effort to appear in the Spy section of the Herald on Sunday.
Work
Work harder. I want to put far more effort into things like this weekly column, but as this particular one was written at the end of last year, it is unlikely that you will notice any difference yet.
