Mid-Year Resolutions

Forget New Year Resolutions

Most people who make resolutions confine their resolution making to once a year; that being relegated to New Years Day as the official kick-off date., as anyone can tell you, most people can't honor their resolutions beyond a month or so, and others just don't care to make New Years resolutions in the first place, because they've already convinced themselves they're not going to stick with it, anyway.Come to think if it, most folks probably wait until January 2nd as the official start date because, I mean, hey, who wants to commence with their diet or quit smoking on a perfectly good holiday, right?

So, here's my proposal...

Mid-Year Resolutions

I believe in second chances. When it comes to resolutions, we shouldn't beat ourselves up for failing the first time, because let's face it... some of us haven't even decided what we want change about ourselves in the first place by New Year's Day. We were too busy trying to find the perfect give for our loved ones and planning elaborate holiday parties; over-indulging on Thanksgiving, then again throughout the entire Holiday Season. OF COURSE, we resolved to change our bad habits after the festivities ended. Who EVER holds up their end of the bargain under those circumstances?

Hence, the Mid-Year Resolutions. You've halfway into the year now, and you've got a pretty good idea how things are going. You've had plenty of time to think about how you want the rest of this year to go. It's not too late to turn things around if you've been procrastinating. It's the perfect opportunity to make Mid-Year resolutions! Some things on my list are things I think about this time of year and then forget about them by the time the New Year rolls around, anyway. So, there's yet another reason for making new resolutions at the year's halfway point.

My Personal Mid-Year Resolutions

I'm one of those people who, as I described earlier, hasn't decided what I want to change about myself in the first place by New Year's Day. Therefore, it behooves me to give myself til June or July to figure out my priorities. That said, here is my list of personal resolutions moving forward...

Cell phone for phone calls and camera. No more checking email on the phone when I’m home and my laptop is right across the room. Except for a few apps that can't be accessed any other way, there's no reason to use the phone as a personal computer when my personal computer is only six feet away. I find myself constantly hunched over, straining my eyes, typing with one or two fingers or thumbs while I'm at home, even though there is a full sized keyboard a few steps away.

Even when I'm out and about, I must admit, there is no emergency in answering emails or commenting on Facebook posts that can't wait till I'm in front of my laptop. Overusing my smartphone for the sake of convenience isn't worth the risk of permanently bad posture, severe eye strain, early arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines and other ills.

Wear earbuds. No more holding the phone up to my head. It's a known fact these days that holding a smartphone up to your head isn't very smart. At all. SO from now on, I'm making it a point to keep those earbuds handy at all times. Plugged in and ready to go whenever possible.

Less television viewing

This resolution speaks for itself. I know I watch way too much television and have for a long time. I know because of my ability to do well in trivia games. This above all is probably my hardest bad habit to break.

Over the years, I've managed to quit drinking, smoking and fortunately, never really had any eating disorder (knock wood), but Television... that is my kryptonite.

Only texting in an emergency This one is easy for me. If you've read my past blogs, you know I'm not a big fan of texting to begin with. However, lately, I have caught myself responding to texts more often than I used to. So, I'm going to refrain from answering texts the minute a friend sends me a message.

Continue to take regular breaks I'm a firm believer in breaks. Naps, too. No need to reaffirm my resolution here. I'm already doing it right :-)

Create a video training within the next month. One per season. This is a new one. I had resolved to create my first video training at the beginning of this year. And in fact, I created three!!! Just in case you missed either of them, here they are:

Curating Content Using Google Alerts and Press This

Watch Video Tutorials on Your TV by Screen Mirroring

Google Slides - A Free Alternative to MS Powerpoint

Upon completion of each video training, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. In light of that, I hereby resolve to make at least one per quarter. So don't touch that dial!

Begin Affiliate Bootcamp
I've been very dedicated to my Stuff For Baby Boomers website that I started upon joining WA as a premium member. It's been my banner project as an affiliate site and is becoming quite a large resource for baby boomers and others. I still have a long way to go as it takes shape and I find my voice with it. But I'm in the home stretch in my Certification. So, I have decided that before, or shortly after the next New Years Eve, I will begin Affiliate Bootcamp and ultimately set a goal for Las Vegas by 2019.

Happy Mid-Year!!!