Ten Things To Do This Year

1 : Reduce Your Carbon Footprint : the Copenhagen climate changed summit might have ended in failure, but we can still do our part individually in caring for the environment. See what you can do differently this year, that could reduce your carbon footprint by up to 10%.

2 : Grow Your Own Fruit & Vegetables : it is inexpensive, healthy and good for the environment. You don't even need a garden! Urban living is fine if you have a small windowsill or balcony. It will save you some cash particularly during these critical economic times and it's good for your wallet and stomach too :)

3 : Walk More : it sounds sensible when it comes to a healthier lifestyle, but it also aids you during an economic downturn, spending far less than using your car or public transport!

4 : Recycle More : January is a month where we see excessive waste after the holiday season. Keeping a check on how we throw away our rubbish / trash is essential if we are hoping to help the planet. Find out how to recycle more in your local area by doing a search on Google, Yahoo or Bing.

5 : Participate In A RSPB Bird Watch : the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds hosts various events throughout the year in which the public can participate in. These are simple, fun campaigns in which people are asked to record a number of birds they spot in their gardens during a specific time period. The RSPB relies on this information to gain an accurate record of the nation's wildlife. Official RSPB Website

6 : Don't Drop Litter: in many areas nowadays, the threat of terrorism has meant the removal of waste bins. Not dropping rubbish or trash on the pavement / sidewalk may seem logical but it still occurs. Learn to take your rubbish with you and dispose of it properly when you arrive home or find a suitable site for disposal of your rubbish.

7 : Knit Yourself Something : here's another recession buster. Few things compare to the feeling of a homemade woolly jumper, hat or scarf. Your will not only save cash, but have learned a new skill that may serve you well into the future if the recession doesn't let up any time soon!

8 : Avoid Using Plastic Bags : if you haven't already invested in a "bag for life" or other "green" reusable bag for your shopping, then this should be the year you ditch those nasty, environmentally unfriendly plastic bags for good!

9 : Make Time To Read More : besides enhancing your knowledge and developing new skills, reading can benefit you by widening your outlook in seeking opportunities and making changes in your life. Reading is calming if you are sitting in a well ventilated, well lit area where there is peace and quiet. Borrowing books from the library is also another way to reduce your expenses in the currently bleak economy.

10 : Work From Home : not only will this reduce your carbon footprint, your commuting stress levels, your expenses in using transport, it will also afford you a better quality of life, more quality time with those you love and doing the things you love to do.

1 - Your Finances - we either ignore it, thereby creating guilt or we obsess over the details of our finances and both negativities create unproductivity. Learn to take responsibility and be accountable for your actions in caring for finances.

2 - Your Relationships - put the "sparkle" back into your relationships. Surprise each other with fun, albeit "childish" stuff, like wrapping up a simple chocolate bar, to playing on the swings in the park! For more long-term lustre, change your work schedule, be more flexible, maybe even considering working from home.

3 - Your Diet - rather than restricting yourself to a rigid, unreasonable diet, consider adding a variety of nuts and seeds to your meals. Nuts and seeds have mood boosting nutrients like selenium, protein, magnesium, folic acid, iron and zinc. These nutrients help to aid the brains chemical balance influencing how we feel, think, eat, sleep and concentrate.

4 - Your Mind - whether we're just tired, having not slept sufficiently or we're overwhelmed by information, we all struggle from time to time in remembering the simple things in life. Instead of doing things in the same routine every day, why not challenge yourself to break old habits. Perhaps do things with the other hand for a change to stimulate your mind or boost your memory by being imaginative, thereby breaking mundane ways of doing things. Maybe set yourself a bigger challenge like learning a new language.

5 - Your Closet - change is empowering. How long have you had items of clothing you haven't even looked at let alone wear in ages, clutter your closets? The general rule is if you haven't worn a piece of clothing in a year to 2 years max, it should be thrown out, whether it's sold on eBay, sent to charity or recycled! Don't clutter your life with stuff that's taking up room in your closet. Create a new image; psychologically and physically you willbe better off too.

6 - Your Career - tear up your CV or resume if you want to start thinking radically. If you are searching for a new job, why not think creatively for a change and do something different like pitch your new boss with a video! Put the results on You Tube and you will most definitely stand out from the crowd! Prospective employers may just snap you up over the conventional guy sitting in the reception area with his paper resume!

7 - Your Friends - now this is a slightly touchy subject, but it seriously determines where you are going in your life, or as the case may be, where you AREN'T going in your life. Are your friends helping or hindering your progress to become all you aim to become in your life? Are they losers who spend all their spare cash in the pub or bar getting drunk, or spend half their income in the casino? Or are they headed for success, for health, wealth and happiness egging you on to do the same? Time to discern who is a true friend aiming for the "TOP" with you and who isn't...

8 - Your Health - as adults we're told to get a healthy minimum of 30 minutes a day in exercise. If you can plan a good routine, your health will benefit immeasurably. You can pick something you enjoy doing, that will motivate you but remember to continue being creative every 4-6 weeks as your body adapts to that form of exercise so that you are constantly challenging your muscles. Doing at least one form of cardio vascular activity where you can't talk during the exercise is essential for boosting your metabolism and getting the old heart working nicely.

9 - Your Beauty - whether we're male or female, our skin needs to be cared for properly if we're going to age gracefully. The condition of our skin is also a sure indication as to the internal health of our organs, particularly filtering organs like the liver and kidneys. Having a good cleansing and moisturising routine according to our climate will make skin glow along with drinking plenty of water, boosting with fish oil supplements, getting enough sleep and eating a well balanced diet. Personally I like using paraben-free cosmetics and toiletries that are also organic and environmentally friendly. Do a search on the Internet for organic products sold locally to you.

10 - Your Confidence - you are the master or mistress of your thoughts. You determine your success or failure by your mindset. If you want this year to be a year with a difference, then don't end up justifying yourself or making excuses for not following through on things you decided upon or resolved to change. Let go of past bad influences that have knocked your confidence and be determined to prove to yourself that you can step out of your comfort zone and accomplish anything you once thought was impossible!

ONE - Broaden your mind-set by resolving to learn something new every day.

TWO - Do something good for someone no matter how small the gesture.

THREE - Laugh more.

FOUR - Love with all your heart.

FIVE - Exercise forgiveness.

SIX - Spend more quality time with your loved ones.

SEVEN - Fire your boss and hire yourself in 90 days working at home.

EIGHT - Focus on the present moment, not the past, not the future, just today.

NINE - Pursue your goals passionately.

TEN - Never, ever, give up.