With the new year just starting, many of us set new year resolutions, ranging from going to the gym regularly, improving diet or learning something new.
Before long, our big ambitions have betrayed us by setting goals we're not going to keep up with.
By February, most of us will have come to the conclusion that we hadn't been going to the gym for a reason or after a long day of work that pizza or a burger and fries was a better idea than cooking dinner from scrap.
Of course, if you're really motivated, you can make big changes that will last but most of the time, it being "that time of year," won't be enough.
This year I would urge you not to aim for life changing targets but to pick something simple:
Don't go on a gluten, dairy, meat, sugar and processed food free diet.
Do add a mandarin orange or apple to your lunchbox.
Don't sign yourself up for a gym membership with 17 hours of personal training each week.
Do walk your dog so you both get exercise.
Don't unblock your annoying relatives on Facebook.
Do aim to see them more often.
Don't join a car mechanic club with mandatory meetings each weekend.
Do figure out where to add the washer fluid.
Don't try to visit all the continents in one year.
Do actually go camping or fishing once.
Don't learn another language.
Do learn the difference between "who" and "whom" or "it's" and "its."
Don't spend less time on social media.
Do actually factcheck crazy uncle Bob's posts before sharing them.
Don't spend less time watching TV.
Do watch better quality TV.
Don't start a news website/blog/YouTube channel.
Do write a letter to the editor (seriously start now).
Don't drink less alcohol.
Do buy better alcohol to drink.
Don't read more than you normally do.
Do buy a newspaper subscription so you have better things to read.
Don't sign up to volunteer for nine different charities.
Do donate something on your way out of the grocery store.
Don't set out to learn all the intricacies of modern art.
Do go see a PSO play.
Don't reinvent yourself.
Do start holding the door for older people.