Wow! We are near the end of the first month of the year and I have not even begun to develop a set of “resolutions” or even plans for this year.

Some people do take the resolution concept very seriously, even as far as following the advice of goal-setting experts and writing them down. I came across this list found by someone outside a subway stop:

Resolutions 2008

1. Be smart.
2. Be strong.
3. Be aggressive!
4. End it with M.
5. Get through #4. No guilt.
6. Tell B how I feel.
7. Make B understand.
8. Don’t make mistakes with B.
9. Love like a Tiger.
10. Live the life.
11. BE with B.
12. Forget THE PAST.
13. Get healthy in the brain.
14. Be happy.
15. Don’t think about things too much.

While I am pretty sure I am not the ‘B’ referred to here I admire the list for its extremely strong positive ‘can-do’ attitude. Statements like “love like a tiger” and “live the life” sound like part of a valuable life manifesto.

Being able to sum up a goal in a short strong statement like that turns it into a mantra that can be used in a variety of ways to help you stick to it. Say it to yourself first thing in the morning. Repeat it when you are under stress or facing temptation. Write it on your mirror. Paint it in your house. Print it on a shirt. Keeping them short allows you to take writing it down to a whole new level.

I think for this year I might adopt number 10 for my motto:

LIVE THE LIFE!