Daily Resolution: Put on Your Listening Ears

If you ever really listen to conversations, there is a tendency to be in such a rush to blurt out thoughts that sometimes listening becomes less important than getting that idea out. How many times have you said to someone, “I already told you that”? The next time you engage in dialogue with someone today, pause for a millisecond longer than you normally would and really listen to what is being said to you and respond accordingly. And don’t speak until the other party is finished if you are the chronic interrupter!

Daily Resolution: Find Some Silver Linings

The proverbial “bad day” strikes everyone and sometimes without warning. However, ultimately a bad day is all in how a person reacts to it. Have some daily affirmations to bolster those positive energies. These can be goal-related, attitude adjusting, or intervening thoughts that break that path of negativity. For example: “I am the captain of my ship;” “I will allow myself to be angry for a short time, but will move on;” “I will do something good for myself today”. Notice these are all positive in the framing: “I will…” and not “I won’t…” You are a happy person without problems, you say? Then help turn someone else’s bad day around.

Daily Resolution: Be Ready Just in Case

Whenever taking a trip, people inevitably “forget” something. Even if your next trip is still a ways off, put some of those easily forgotten items in your bag or suitcase now. Get travel size items if possible for toothpaste, a toothbrush, extra tissues, some band-aids, gum, etc. Throw in a few small plastic bags; these can come in handy for just about anything when traveling. Add travel tags to bags with your name and address now, so you are not “that person” holding up the line at the airport!

Daily Resolution: Avoid Being a Pressure Cooker

Do you know the symptoms of high blood pressure? You might be surprised to know there really are not any, thus the label the “silent killer.” Many people do not even know what their blood pressure is or should be. You do not need a doctor’s appointment to have this checked periodically. Many local pharmacies have blood pressure stations where you can do this for a minimal cost or even free. Check your family history; you may be unaware of family members who suffer from hypertension. And even if you discover your numbers are a little high, ask your doctor or read up on it from credible sources that direct you on what you can do to lower it.

Daily Resolution: Winterproof Your Home

Regardless of the climate, there is seasonal work around the house to be done. Colder climates require such steps as checking a home for heat efficiency by sealing up places that lend themselves to draft (door frames and windows), having a heating and cooling system checked (a good idea for warm climates too), and cleaning out air ducts and vents. For warmer climates, make any repairs to windows, roofing, or siding that may be weathered. And if you live in the snow belt, get yourself a good shovel now before the stores sell out during the next blizzard!