Making promises at the start of the year to improve ourselves has a long and colorful history dating back 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. They were typically reaffirming loyalty to the reigning king or promising to pay debts or return borrowed items.

In spite of the fact that most of us are unable to keep our resolutions, we can’t seem to resist making them when a new year holds the promise of a new start. Perhaps taking a different approach will help us be more successful. Here are five unique alternatives to making New Year’s resolutions.

 

Do One Big Thing Each Day

Making to-do lists, completing planners, and setting priorties aren’t new, but Nick Burka a developer based in Montréal, Canada made this app for himself that simplifies this process. It’s free. Since I tend to spread myself too thin trying to do too much in a day, this approach appealed to me. You can do other smaller things, of course, but your main daily goal is just one thing. If you insist on themes and stickers, you can upgrade to a paid version.  What kind of developer would he be if he didn’t give you that option?

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Create a Want List

Jennifer Mattern says ask yourself what you really want for your life, what will make you happy. Then write it all down. Avoid setting deadlines or creating SMART GOALS that may begin to feel like putting pressure on yourself. The things on your want list are not time-sensitive. Some may take more than a day or a year to achieve.  You can do tiny things to move toward your wants, but you also can change your mind when you discover that you don’t REALLY want an item anymore.

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Take a Trip of a Lifetime

Suzy Strutner, Associate Lifestyle Editor, The Huffington Post lists 12 types of trips you should take in your lifetime. Forget about setting loads of resolutions, and take one amazing trip instead. As much as I travel, I discovered I’ve only taken four of the types she recommends. How about you? Check out her list and share in Speak Your Mind which of these you’ve taken.

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Set an Intention with One Word

Zoe Saldana and her sisters explain in the video below

 

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Make a Commitment to Someone Other Than Yourself

 

Who says resolutions have to be about fixing what you see as wrong with yourself or going after achievements. Instead, how about donating time to a cause you care about. Or visiting a friend or relative who can no longer get around as they once did. Or supporting a fellow author or entrepreneur at  book signing or other event. These commitments do not have to be long-term or forced. Last year I committed to spend the day with an 80 year old friend once each month of the summer. I also attended book signings to support fellow authors, helped set up an auction for one of my favorite charities, and volunteered as a mentor at my alma mater.

Give your presence. It means a lot.

[This article was originally published in 2017, but since the ideas in it are still worth doing, I’m sharing it again.]

 

Tell us in Speak Your Mind which idea resonates with you or suggest another alternative to making New Year’s resolutions.

 

Are you looking for great holiday gifts for the writers and authors in your life? Here are some fun, functional, and unique gift ideas for not only the holidays,  but also for birthdays and other special occasions all year round.

1. Favorite Snacks

Writers have rituals that include munching on their favorite snacks to keep up their energy and momentum while they work.  F. Scott Fitzgerald loved canned meat and apples, Nora Ephron could down three Krispy Kreme doughnuts in one sitting, and Julia Child’s favored red meat and gin. What’s your writer’s favorite snack? Give the writer in your life a supply of their favorite munchies or a gift certificate for the store that carries them. They’ll enjoy fond memories of you every time they indulge.

2. Writing Inspiration

 

Aqua Notes

Many writers and other creatives get some of their best ideas in the shower. Now this waterproof notepad, the writer can capture thoughts or sketch ideas while in the shower.

 

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Writer with a Day Job

This is the perfect gift for the writer working full time and writing their books on the side. This book offers advice, skill-building techniques, prompts, and exercises on how to keep writing while holding down a day job. It includes setting goals, creating a schedule, finding inspiration and more.

 

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Writer Emergency Pack

This deck of 26 illustrated idea cards help restore writers’ creativity when it slumps.

 

 

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The Writer’s Coloring Book

“Whether you are a Plotter, a Pantser or hybrid Plantster, you will love this book. A unique writing guide for novelists, screenwriters, and playwrights that provides a visual playground for both sides of a writer’s brain: the passionate dreamer and the rational organizer. The tools in this unique “how to write” book help you create complex, multi-faceted characters in engaging, stay-with-you-forever stories. “Amazon product description

 

3. Cool Tools

Agatha Christie said, “All I needed was a steady table and a typewriter. A marble topped bedroom washstand table made a good place; the dining room table between meals was also suitable.”

Modern readers may need a bit more. Here are a few ideas.

 

LED Pen, The Pilot’s Pen, Night Writer – Set of 2 LED Powered Ink Penlights

Dancing in the dark is one thing. But writing in the dark takes a special tool, like this Night Writer pen.

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Sofia + Sam Multi Tasking Memory Foam Lap Desk with USB Light (Wood Top) | Supports Laptops Up To 15 Inches

This is more than just a lap desk, it’s a work station that goes wherever the writer wants to go. Includes mouse deck and slot for tablet or smartphone.

 

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4. Stress Relief

Since writers spend many hours working in one position, carpal tunnel, neck, and body cramps are occupational hazards. If you’re skilled enough, give the writer in your life a personal massage. If not, invest in a gift certificate from the local massage school or parlor in the area. Groupon may even have a great deal available in your writer’s area http://www.groupon.com/local/massage

5. Smart New Tool–Book Planner–Plans The Entire Book Publishing Process

 

 

 

Out of Print spreads the joy of reading through the teeshirts and accessories celebrating the world’s great stories and featuring iconic and sometimes out of print book covers. Because they realize that some parts of the world have no access to books at all, for each product they sell, they donate a book to community in need through their partner Books for Africa.

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50 banned books are identified on this one tote bag. 

Some books have become as famous for being banned as they were for being read, You’ll find some of your favorites on this list: James and the Giant Peach, The Heart of Darkness, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Call of the Wild, and more.

 

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8. This Tee Shirt Helps Promote Authors’ Books

9. Postertext

 

 

Posters are made with the entire text of a classic and some contemporary novels.

 

This Benjamin Franklin poster, for example, is made from the entire text of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.

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10. Fun and Functional Gift Ideas

Shakespearean Insults Coffee Mug

“From all reports, William Shakespeare was a decent guy. He was generous, funny, and could drink with the best of them. But one thing you didn’t want to do is piss him off. Shakespeare was the Don Rickles of Elizabethan England. His brilliantly crafted insults and witty barbs could bring the fiercest soldier to tears. The Shakespeare Insults mug is covered with the Bard’s funniest and most biting insults from his plays.”Amazon product description

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Novel Teas tagged with Literary Quotes

 

Novel Teas contains 25 teabags individually tagged with literary quotes from the world over, made with the finest English Breakfast tea.  This gift will help keep a writer hydrated through many drafts.

 

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642 Things to Write About

“This collection of 642 outrageous and witty writing prompts will get the creative juices flowing in no time. From crafting your own obituary to penning an ode to an onion, each page of this playful journal invites inspiration and provides plenty of space to write. Brimming with entertaining exercises from the literary minds of the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto, this is the ultimate gift for scribes of every stripe.” Amazon product description

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Reading Journal: For Book Lovers

“With checklists of award-winning novels and recommended reading for every genre (spy novels, romance, sci-fi, humor), this classic reading journal also includes plenty of pages for keeping track of all the books you’ve read and want to consume next.” Amazon product description.

 

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Oriental Rug Book Marks–a set of four

• Rugged urethane core layer practically impossible to tear, washable, will last many years.
• Culturally significant classic images, many licensed from world famous museums. Amazon product description

Surprise your favorite writers or treat yourself to one of these not-so-typical gifts now or any time of year.

Please note: Most of the products listed above are affiliate links from which I get a commission if you make a purchase.

Which of these will you add to your holiday gift-giving list? Tell us in Speak Your Mind below.

 

When I retired after twenty years of teaching critical thinking, I decided to write my book of happiness advice and inspiration. I had already successfully published two language arts series for major publishers, and curriculum material, guides, and articles for a variety of publications. I also had my fill of clashing with traditional publishers over control of my book in exchange for meager royalties, so this time I decided to self-publish.

It was 2007. It only took me a few days of research to get overwhelmed when I realized all the work and decisions that self-publishing a quality nonfiction book would take in those days. I quickly switched my search from finding out how to self-publish to finding a coach and experienced guidance through the self-publishing journey.

Fortunately, times have advanced tremendously and you don’t have to comb the internet for knowledgeable help.

You are spared the scary thought of going it alone since you can gain ready access to know-how that wasn’t available to me when I began.

If you are an aspiring nonfiction author ready to learn successful strategies to write, self-publish, and market your book to turn your readers into ongoing customers, take the Nonfiction Master Course,  October 25th-27th.

In this a one-of-a kind course you learn from ten experts live and get your questions answered all from the comfort of your home or office.

Or if you prefer,  listen to the recordings later to suit your schedule.

Access  over 10 hours of dedicated and focused instruction from experts like Judy Cullins, Michele DeFilippo, Joel Friedlander, Nina Amir, Sandra Beckwith, and more.

It’s easy and convenient.

Sign up now for the Nonfiction Master Course

You are guaranteed to reap benefits from the skills, experience and knowledge shared on the live or audio presentations or get your money back,  hassle-free. Click here to view the details and learn about the money-back guarantee deadline. 

Oh, and when you register, you will get five instant eBook downloads. ‘

Still haven’t registered? Here’s that link again here. 

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(Disclosure: I’m a proud affiliate of the Nonfiction Master Course.)