New Year's Resolutions: Cheers or Jeers?

When the clock strikes midnight, you kiss your loved ones, and it's time to celebrate in the joy that comes with the dawning of a new year. New Year's Eve is the one night when you have many immediate hopes and dreams for the future, but could you be setting yourself up for disappointment?

I hate to be the Grinch of New Year's, but it's time to throw away that resolution list and make [insert your name here]'s list. Ideally, we can all aim to achieve our crazy dreams, but is one year enough time to do it all without failing miserably? That's doubtful.

If you plan on acting on your resolutions, then by all means go for it, but if you are hoping for the impossible, dare to dream more realistically. If you focus your time and energy on a couple of goals rather than a list full of tedious tasks, you will be in much better shape.

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Once you've placed your items on your short list, make an effort every day to do something that will bring you closer to your goals — an effort to meet your expectations in the time frame you have set up. If you really want to give back and help with a charity, start by doing some simple volunteer work. You can volunteer at a local shelter or food kitchen. It doesn't take thousands of dollars to give back.

Our lives are so busy that I would give you props for at least beginning with that. Law school doesn't allow for much free time; this we know. I'm guilty myself of saying that I will dedicate myself and my time to volunteer work and then finding that life gets in the way — not to mention working up the courage and patience to complete additional labor, especially at night in freezing temperatures while getting over a cold.

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Think big, but aim lower at first because you don't want to tear yourself down before you even begin. Create a time frame that can work with your class schedule. You can also rely on the buddy system in certain situations, such as sticking to a gym routine. If someone you know wants to lose 10 pounds as well, he or she can help you dedicate yourself to the gym.

When you complete a little piece of your resolution, reward yourself and let your family members reward you. Whether it be a few extra hours to goof around with friends or a small indulgent dessert, give yourself a gift for working toward your goal.

Creating New Year's resolutions shouldn't be some elementary task you have grown accustomed to; ultimately, it should mean more to you than just a pen, a piece of paper, and a too-good-to-be-true list.