While I have my share of goals for the new year and expect most of you do too, there were a few other things that didn’t quite seem to qualify as goals but were things I wanted to do better at starting now. Small habits can have a big impact.

1. Say Thank You: While I say “thank you” in the normal courteous manner that everyone else does I’ll admit I’ve been lazy about saying thank you by way of thank you cards for birthday gifts, or for someone having me over to their home for a party or for simply taking the time to do something nice. It’s a small step but a simple thank you when it is least expected can have a lasting impact on how people perceive you, especially when it requires a little more effort than just saying it.
2. Stop Making Excuses For Not Being Kind To Myself: Let’s face it, we’re all our own hardest critic and all to often work or other obligations become excuses for not taking care of me. Whether that’s taking the time out for a run, a beer with a buddy or a little extra sleep when I need it. I know from experience that taking care of me enables me to take better care of my clients (and everyone else in my life). Stop the excuses, take care of you.
3. Smile & Look People In The Eye: It’s just to easy to order your drink or dinner while looking at the menu, pass a neighbor or co-worker or just walk past someone on a sidewalk and not bother to smile or look them straight in the eye. There are a dozen psychological reasons why we avoide looking people in the eye but I’m going to make an effort to ensure I do. Just because I smile at you doesn’t mean they I’m hitting on you, and we know smiling actually tends to relax other people. Looking them in the eye is just a sign of respect and gets us (read: me) out of a semi-submissive role. It might feel weird at first but once you do it a couple of times it becomes quite natural, and charismatic.
4. Eat Slowly: This accomplishes two things. You get to enjoy your food and the company you are in a little longer and it will help you to eat less, something the vast majority of us could do. It also makes a meal just generally more enjoyable.
5. Have Dinner & Drinks With A Friend or Family Member Once a Week: Sometimes it’s hard to squeeze it in but find a way, it’s the people in our lives that make the most difference in the end, not the stuff. On average most Americans have 1.5 “good” friends. I think that is for no other reason than that we don’t make time for each other. So just do it.
6. Give Away Some Meaningful Knowledge: Many of us in this day and age get paid for what we know, not what we can do. Sometimes it’s a fine line between protecting your intellectual property and sharing your knowledge. Knowing how and when to teach someone something without expecting anything in return not only endears you to readers, fans and prospective clients, it helps you to build trust and establish authority. Share often, and share things of value, not fluff.
7. Be Kind To Your Nose: It might sound strange but let it sink in… A smell can take you back to your childhood, or a particular place. Smell is 90% of taste, it can relax you. This year pay more attention to smells.

There you have it. Nothing revolutionary but then it wasn’t meant to be. 7 simple things to try to remember to do through out the year and it might just turn out a little better, even if in some small way.

I love the TED talks and while I’ve never been a follower of Tony’s I’ve always respected the guy. This video is really good and his message is, while not new, more well articulated than I’ve heard elsewhere.