2012: Time to Start Anew

By Eliza Jordan | gargoyle@flagler.edu

With the beginning of 2012 underway, it may feel overwhelming trying to get your new year in order. Have you ever wondered what makes a resolution stick? Having trouble deciding what to keep on that resume of yours?

Here are a few tips to start your 2012 in the right direction:

Make realistic resolutions:  It’s all too easy to pile on plenty of wishful resolutions for a bright new year to come, especially when you have only a few ideas that you feel you picked out of a hat. Make a “Top 3” resolution list and include why you want to pursue these resolutions. This will help you remember why you are still going strong in October! Something small may be more important now in the grand scheme of things, like budgeting more carefully or sending an extra email to that distant Uncle Nick.

Invest in the best: It’s time to invest in things that will last. If you’re anything like me, you are done with wasting time and money on things that don’t last. Do you have 16 pairs of socks, all mix-matched and worn-out? Ditch the shameful feeling of buying something new and weigh it out in long-term effects. How long have you had those socks? Have you thought about revamping your sock drawer before? If you answered yes to most of your logical questions, then it may also be time to say yes to something that will last.

Spend it wisely:  Time and money are both valuable things to many. Make memories with the most important people in your life. Haven’t talked to your on-the-go sister today? Shoot her a text. Want a coffee but more importantly, need gas in your car? Brew a fresh cup before you leave the house! If you can become more aware of what you’re spending where, it will become easier to make it a habit.

Update your resume: Make sure that your resume reflects your career’s area of interest. If you’re interested in public relations, that ice cream job from high school may just be clutter for your prospective employer. If your resume feels a bit lengthy, customize its content for specific interviews. Depending on what job you’re applying for, add, replace or remove lengthy content like awards, experience and education.

Be aware: It may seem like a far-fetched idea to become a little more conscious of the faces you make, but that can make all the difference to people you don’t yet know. If you have the “I just smelled something funky” face on while meeting someone for the first time, their first impression of you may be a little skewed. Becoming more aware of your surroundings is also a biggie. Ever walked down an alley late at night and said to yourself, “This is a little sketchy, but I’ll be okay?” If so, it may be time to keep yourself in check with your instincts. They are usually right, and if you follow them, you’ll be alright too.