一個願意傷腦筋去策劃新年大計的人，其實已清晰表達了兩個訊息：(一)他懂得自我增值提升自己，乃明智之舉；（二）、他態度認真，有計劃地達成目標，精神可嘉。在此我恭喜這些努力不懈的人仕們，希望以下的索引可以幫到你：

1、實際一點

　　第一項法則，就是盡量將計劃訂得實際一點，不要將目標訂得太高。如果你十多年來是個鍾「Hea」，經常攤在梳化吃薯片的懶人，忽然要求自己每天做200個掌上壓，可是天方夜譚。所以在實施大計前，不妨先想想以甚麼策略逐步實行計劃，途程距離太遠始終不方便，將會令你感到氣餒，就像堵車一樣阻礙著你，令你的熱誠意志磨滅。如公司的會議從未準時結束過，將來也是如此。你深信自己真的會每星期去上課三次嗎？你對所參與的活動所知有多少？

　　無論是減肥、做運動或參與其他活動也好，付了錢不等於你會出席，只是如你不出席則代表你在浪費金錢。

2、具分析力

　　有些人為了令自己看起來更好或令自己有進步，會以很誇張的方式，意圖快速達成大計。我們周圍不缺「靈丹妙藥」，有真正的專家，還有自稱是「大師」的人，更遑論我們每天被無數的互聯網資訊及大量廣告等包圍……但最重要的是，不論內心有多想快些達成目標，也不要太輕易相信別人，或一定要跟著別人的方法計劃去做。

　　一直以來，跑步都被視為是健康的運動，但有研究人員發現，以不合適的方法跑步，腳踭不斷在地上敲擊，對脊柱和腦部可構成嚴重的壓力，對初學者影響尤甚，正如跑樓梯對膝蓋有勞損般；營養師主張人們每天喝8杯水，但醫生反對此舉，因為日喝8杯水是過量和無必要的，更會導致水腫；DR美容院的血清注射療程，以抗衰老作賣點，結果導致客人死亡……

　　最近我和老公每人花了$6000元，參與為期2天，由白雁、彥寬老師主理的台灣中華導氣養生研究恊會，活動結束後，我認為簡直是浪費時間和金錢！在這項活動中，只有百分之十是教氣功，百份之九十是可笑、荒謬的鬧劇，明顯一個有組織的邪教騙局。其實都是我的錯，我不應盡信他人推薦，而是應該自行在參與前進行多點資料搜集，才不會做錯決定。

　　在計劃新年大計和尋找方法實施之前，緊記最佳標準是靠你自己的常識判斷。請記住兩大法則，第一，「大聲、有頭威」者並不等於「正確」；第二，看來好像有點「違反邏輯」的事通常都是違反邏輯。

3、與人保持接觸

　　好的大計不一定要驚天動地或很昂貴，有時候「少即是多」，試試以下幾項方法。

(a)減少負面能量：嘗試正面樂觀看待任何事。

(b)減少批評人：留意別人的優點而不是缺點。

(c)不要太苛刻：既不要藐視他人，同時對別人的要求降低少許。

(d)不要太囂張：無需自誇，不要炫耀自己。

(e)減少不耐煩情緒：以包容之心和笑容處事。

(f) )減少暴躁發脾氣：原諒、接受和尊重別人。

　　如果你想主動實行大計，但又找不到配合你時間表的活動，可以考慮做義工或公益活動，例如唱歌給老人家聽、教育小孩子、與年青人打籃球、為盲人朗讀書本、或在施食處改善廚藝，其實還有不同活動可以參與，這些活動的好處是時間富有彈性，又不花你一毫子練習以上的方法。

4、重視結果

　　最後，新年大計是你對自己的承諾，不要令自己失望！實行計劃時，宜按部就班，以務實和可達標的方法將之實行，一個成功的適中計劃總比一個失敗的激進計劃有意義。祝大家好運！

　　（按：中文內容乃翻譯及撮寫版本）

New Year’s Resolutions

　　A person who makes resolutions is saying 2 things about himself: (1) He is smart and conscientious enough to want self-enhancement, (2) He is serious enough to make the effort. We congratulate these heroes for their commendable spirits, and herewith a few pointers for the road:

Be Realistic

　　Rule number one is to make it possible for yourself to stay with your resolution by differentiating wishful thinking from reality and refrain from being over-ambitious. If you have been a couch potato for 10+ years, 200 push-ups/day is not going to happen overnight, so map out your tactics wisely before implementation. Distance is a hassle just as traffic congestion is a deterrent, both will erode enthusiasm eventually. If your meetings have never ended punctually before, neither will they in future. Can you really commit to anything 3 times/ week? How much do you know about this activity you have signed up for?

　　Whether it is dieting, exercising… or whatever else, having paid does not mean you will attend, it only means money will be wasted when you don’t .

Be Discerning

　　In an attempt to look better, feel better, do better or be better, one may be tempted to adopt dramatic measures in order to concretize a resolution. There is no shortage of “panacea” anywhere you look, be it from authentic specialists, self proclaimed “gurus”, web surfing or advertisements galore.... Imperative is that our eagerness for self enhancement doesn’t make us gullible and fall prey to other people’s agenda.

　　Running was once hailed as a healthy sport until researchers found that improper and repetitive pounding of the heels actually causes undue stress to the spine and the brain especially for novice runners. Ditto for stair climbers and their knees… Dieticians advocating 8 glasses of water/day have been admonished by doctors who consider this excessive & unnecessary, causing water retention. DR’s cell rejuvenation program alleged to be “anti-ageing” led to tragic loss of lives.

　　My husband and I recently paid $6000 each for a 2 day Qigong Workshop by Taiwan’s Life International Group (Master Bai Yin and Yin Quan) - A complete waste of time & money ! 10% Qigong, 90% hogwash drama - ridiculous, preposterous, fraudulent. My fault, should have conducted better research beforehand. Goes to show one can never be too careful.

　　In constructing a resolution and finding a recipe to follow, remember the best barometer is always your own common sense. Two simple rules, (1) Being loud or dramatic and being right are two different things, (2) whatever appears to defy logic usually is.

Be In Touch

　　Good resolutions do not necessarily have to be earth moving or expensive. Sometimes, less is more. Try these:

a) Be less negative – Try being more positive about everything.

b) Be less critical – Focus on people’s merits, not their faults.

c) Be less demanding – Ask less of others, without disdain.

d) Be less arrogant – Stop trying to impress or show off.

e) Be less impatient – Be more tolerant, do it with a smile.

f) Be less temperamental- Forgive, accept & respect others.

　　If you plan to become more proactive but cannot seem to find an activity that fits your schedule, try community service or volunteer work. You can sing to the elderly, teach the kids, shoot basketball with teenagers, read to the blind, or improve your culinary skills in the soup kitchen. The choices are endless, and best of all, flexible hours and it can help you practice all of the above (a) to (f) without costing you a penny.

Be Consequent

　　Finally, a resolution is a promise you have made to yourself, don’t let yourself down.Take baby steps, better to have a modest, achievable plan and achieve it than to have an over-ambitious plan and drop out.

　　Good luck !