Every year, it’s the same ritual. I jot down my New Year’s resolutions on January 1st. I do this religiously. It always ends up being a long list, ranging from personal habits (brush after each meal), to projects I want to get done. My list provides rich fodder for various  family members, who are always looking for ways to tease me.

My close friend Amy and I have lunch the first week of the New Year to go over our respective lists. It’s always good for a laugh. Often we leave with tears in our eyes. Some of the items on the lists are so obviously over the top.

Then there are the resolutions we manage to break every year. “Don’t have more than two drinks at a party, especially when you see someone strutting about with a cam-corder” (hers), “lose ten pounds” (mine), “take up jogging” (yea, right, ha, lol), “publish a novel” (mine).

This last year I didn’t just lose ten pounds. I lost twenty! Okay, then I gained back five. But since I’m not someone to follow personal organizers’ advice, I hadn’t thrown out all my size ten clothes. So suddenly, voila, I had a whole new wardrobe. Maybe it’s a little dated, but I’ve also never been a slave to fashion.

Same with my novel. Year after year that choice item had appeared on my list, a reminder of recurring failure. Then finally I did get my novel published. The point is: DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS. Don’t let things you really want drop off your list. When you’re ready, you’ll know it deep down in your heart. Then you’ll go after that big goal with a vengeance, and with a little luck, it’ll happen for you.

Which is why I put myself through the yearly ordeal of making resolutions. I’m a big believer in lists and having goals. Never comfortable with just “winging it,” having that vision works for me. It makes you aware when you start  going astray, and it keeps you from drifting into complete lassitude. I’m lucky to have Amy, who’s a terrific cheerleader and critic. She gets on my case when I fall behind schedule.

Here are some of my 2008 resolutions. They may sound benign, but aren’t if you only knew me better. I hope going public will force me to keep them.

-  Be five minutes early for all meetings (I’ll tell you how that’s going in my April blog; I bet it’ll be thought-provoking).

-  Kill those adverbs ... okay, maybe keep a few as an endangered species, just to show I have a heart.

-  132 (requires no further explanation).

-  Spell check emails before hitting the “send” button.

Writers are by nature curious creatures, like cats. I immediately wondered what New Year’s Resolutions some of my fellow writer are making. I’ll ask a bunch of them if they care to share theirs with me...and with you. The answers may surprise you. That’ll be the topic of my February Blog.