As a personal trainer, I've noticed that people always have GREAT intent when it comes to their goals ...but the desire to follow through tapers off after a few weeks. Why is this? In my experience, the second things require more work, people give up. People are inspired by a moment--such as not fitting into a dress--to spark change. But when the moment is forgotten, so is the resolution. Take the passion you feel after catalysts and apply it to everyday life.

	Take the passion that you feel after catalysts and apply it to everyday life.

What I have told my clients is this:

• Stick with goals especially through the tough times
  
• Set small, realistic goals

Those two sentiments can help us with New Year Resolutions as well. That said, here is my list of Ten Realistic Resolutions that all of us can achieve if we set our mind to it.

1. Streamline Your Life

Chose one item on this list of 10 resolutions, and just do that one thing. Be happy about that one thing, and do it well. And then move on. Because life is hard sometimes, and we are all busy. So pick wisely, streamline your goals, and guess what? The chance you'll accomplish one resolution? Is pretty high. It can be this one, which is, streamline things. You can stop reading the rest of this article now if this is your choice. :) In all seriousness, streamlining your life takes some effort--it can be difficult to let go of the pressures we put on ourselves. But it will make everything much more fun, and manageable if you simplify and get rid of that huge to-do list.

2. Do a Little Bit of Exercise, Each Day

The best way to get in shape or lose weight is to just DO IT. I love the Nike slogan; it is truly brilliant. Most people don't work out because they make a huge ordeal about it...getting to the gym, packing a bag, parking, the classes don't start at the time you like, etc. A million excuses. You know what? Make it easy and fun. First off, exercise should be something you look forward to. So if you enjoy hiking, find some friends and go for a hike. If you don't like the gym, forcing yourself to go once a month isn't really going to pay off. Make it part of your day and give yourself small goals, and just do it. No excuses. I really like a few items off this Website to help me work out more often, and they may work for you:

• 10 Week Pilates Promise This is awesome because it forces you on an actual program, and it is a limited time period, so you feel as if you can truly stick with it. The support from a personal trainer and celebrity guru always helps, and it's something you can do in the privacy of your own home.
• NextFit Personal Keytrain Trainer I like this also because I can use it at home, I get access to famous personal trainers, and I can change and swap up my workouts to what I'm feeling that day. It's important to me because I might not like the classes on the gym schedule...with this I can change it to my wants at any moment. I like that!

3. Set 48-Hour Goals

The smaller the time period, the better chance that you will succeed. There is something to the old college all-nighter-with-the-thesis attitude. Case in point? A few days before Christmas, when I really wanted to go see Avatar with my cute date, but had to get a newsletter out the door prior? That was the fastest newsletter I have ever created. I needed to get it done, fast, so I sat down and just did it. I give myself quick deadlines all the time now, and instead of making me live as if I'm constantly on fire, it actually helps me accomplish things which in turn, makes me feel, well, accomplished. And that reduces a lot of stress, leading me to the next point.

4. Reduce Stress

Yeah, ok, reduce stress. It is always a resolution at the top of many peoples' list, and it is something that we all consider "nice to strive for" but nearly impossible to obtain. But notice how this does not say, "Eliminate stress." Oh, no. That would actually be impossible--and some stress is good, it motivates us and helps us achieve more out of life. I am talking about reducing stress, and it isn't that hard. Here are five ways I am able to reduce stress daily:

• Reading before bed. Yep, this works. I like fantasy and science fiction, or humor because I don't think about work, or things that need solving, or things that tax my weary head. I can just enjoy and that helps me sleep.
• Exercise. It does reduce stress, helps us get out feelings of anger or inaction, increases endorphins, and can help reduce cortisone which is caused by stress (and leads to ab fat, so lots of fun there), and really, nothing is more awesome than just sweating something out and looking in the mirror and feeling that your body just accomplished something very cool and powerful.
• Avoid the News. Ok, I know this sounds weird, since I was a Journalist and I have a masters in Journalism, but by cutting out the news I significantly reduced my stress, since 90% of it or more is negative or traumatic. I do read the Economist and other "news" magazines once a week, but I do not do it daily.
• Pick one thing I'm going to get done each day only. And then I do it. If I do more than one thing, awesome. I try to aim for one major business task per day and one major personal task per day, and that is it.
• Incorporate wellness into my day. This could mean a massage, a walk, a Pilates class, having a glass of wine (just one) with a good friend, taking a long bath--something that is relaxing, healing, and will help me feel well....isn't that what life is about anyway?

5. Travel

I know I am going to get detractors on this one! But travel does not have to mean pack up to some exotic country for 4 weeks...it could mean driving an hour away from where you live, packing a picnic lunch, and going hiking. It could mean a weekend getaway. Travel is a goal that I think is realistic for everyone, if you stop making excuses for it.

I very rarely get too personal on this Website, but my Aunt Gail passed away last year, at the age of 51, and she never traveled--something she always wanted to do. She and her husband always said, someday, someday...and then at the last stages of cancer, she and Paul did, in fact, travel...but she was too sick to enjoy it. Even writing this is upsetting to me. Go, just go, go where you want to go and do it now because you do not know what will happen to you tomorrow.

Explore the world, and show your kids and your family the world. Nothing is more educational or enriching than going somewhere you've always wanted to go. When I travel, I actually purposely put myself into places, which make me uncomfortable and challenge me. So this year, I am going to St. Petersburg, Russia, because I am actually a little bit frightened of Russia...just like I was of China, when I went for 6 weeks back in 2005 (and which turned out to be the most awesome trip I've ever had, and something which marked me and my life in a positive way).

6. Host a Dinner Party

This one is very easily accomplished, and it can make a world of difference to help you, in my case achieve #7 and #8 and #9 below, as well as just have what is so easily lost in today's fast-paced society: true, meaningful conversations, true friendships, and the time to really enjoy a meal with others. Somehow this is sadly missing in most of our lives--even those of us with families seldom sit down with everyone at one table, one time, to enjoy a meal. I make a serious effort to have a dinner party at least once every several months. I like to share this task with a friend. So I will always have a co-host, and he/she gets to invite 4 or 5 people, and I get to invite 4 or 5 people. What you end up with is a lovely gathering of new friends, old friends, and really amazing conversations. If you pick wisely, you can even play matchmaker at some of these. Do this, just once, and let me know how it goes.

7. Meet New People

This one is on my list this year because I am actually an Introvert, and it is so hard for me to meet new people. Yet, friendships are what sustain us, and during the holidays and special occasions in our lives, it is these friendships, which keep us motivated and happy. They are core to our wellbeing. New people can also be so helpful in business. Running InnerRewards.com is very challenging, and the new friends I have met in 2009 have actually helped me keep the business thriving--through partnerships, and just great ideas all around. So make a resolution this year to meet new people. Here are some fast ways to meet new folks:

• Go to a dinner party or host one....
• Go to an event you normally wouldn't go to...
• Go on one of the InnerRewards retreats, such as our Napa trip and meet other people with similar interests.
• Join our Elite Membership program, and get access to special nights out, retreats, spa days, and conferences.
• Sign up for wine tasting parties, cheese tasting, French classes...you get the drift. You'll learn something and meet new people!

8. Do One Thing Each Day That Scares You

This is my favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quote, and I think it helps us on so many levels. When you get out of your comfort zone, you realize new experiences. Read back on my other Resolutions and you will see that there is a theme here. It might scare you to travel, or to meet new people, or to streamline your life. But doing these things is beneficial for developing a community, or seeing the world through different eyes. These experiences, the ones that actually take us out of the comfort zone, are the ones that make the most impact. Every time I fly, I am scared, but each time I get on a plane, I take myself to new experiences, meetings, conferences...or fun. So try to do one thing every day that scares you, even if it means being vulnerable, or being completely honest with someone, or speaking in public.

9. Practice Random Acts of Kindness

An old friend, Stephan, was telling me once that because he divides his time between L.A. and NYC, he gets both sides of evil. The people in L.A. are mean and superficial; the people in NYC are mean and blunt. He made it his personal mission to make mean people smile at him. It was his single goal for most days. I remember laughing at this...but then I watched it in action. At a supermarket, we had the meanest cashier ever. She practically snarled at him. Stephan said to her, "I bet you can't wait to get out of here, huh? When are you off?" I thought she might hit him, but she actually smiled and said, "It's not so bad, just a few hours." And was NICE. And Smiley. And thanked us after. I've also been on a date where I had the rudest, coldest waitress ever (like icicles were warmer), and my date asked her where she was from and started speaking to her in Portuguese. She was so nice after that I couldn't believe it. Be kind. Every day. To random people, and to friends. And notice that lo and behold, people are actually nice back. You simply don't know what someone went through that day...so be nice, because what's the worst thing that could happen? They are not nice back, but you feel better. And the best thing is? They smile and appreciate you. That's worth a lot.

10. Be the Most Optimal You

This one I saved for last, but it is really the most important. If you are not your best, you cannot be your best for others. You need to fuel your body as if you are the most prized thing on earth. Eat well, and healthy. Get enough sleep. Drink lots of water. Take care of your appearance because it is what you present to the world and affects how others respond to you, and it helps you feel confident and powerful and beautiful. Exercise because your body needs it, and it sustains you and keeps you well. Reduce stress because it helps you live at your best and enjoy life. Every one of the resolutions above will help you get there. If you do anything for 2010, do this: respect yourself and be the best person you know you can be. Aim for improving yourself every day in small ways, and for being a work in progress.