Archive for the ‘Quality of Life’ Category:
Make New Year’s resolutions that stick
New Year’s resolutions are usually made with enthusiasm and determination. Unfortunately, they’re often forgotten by the time February rolls around! Here are seven simple ways to make New Year’s resolutions that stick and help you accomplish your goals:
- Think short term. Making a resolution for the entire year may be very difficult. Instead, make your resolutions once per month- January resolutions, February resolutions, etc. They’re easier to achieve and accomplishments can be celebrated sooner.
- Focus on a few. It’s nearly impossible to accomplish everything you want to change all at once. Instead, focus on the one or two goals that are most important to you. You won’t be overwhelmed and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Make your resolutions S-M-A-R-T. Resolutions must be specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and timely to be successful.- Give yourself some visuals. If you can see a reminder of your resolution every day you’re bound to keep it uppermost in your mind. An Extension colleague says “what people think about, they bring about.” Make a list, post a photo or travel brochure as a reminder– seeing a reminder makes it real.
- Tell someone. When you make a resolution, tell your spouse or a friend or co-worker. You’ll be more determined to accomplish your goal if other people are cheering you on.
- Conquer minor setbacks. You may experience a day or two when you lose track of the resolutions you set. That’s ok. Get right back on track– no need to wait until next year, the first of next month, or even the first of next week. Simply make each day DAY ONE and start working on your resolution again.
- Celebrate your wins. Celebrating your accomplishments along the way will give you the motivation to keep going. Set appropriate rewards for each milestone and have a small celebration for each one you achieve.
New Year’s resolutions usually deal with the areas of your life that you would most like to change. By following even some of these simple steps, you will be more likely to actually accomplish your goals. Happy New Year!
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
Subscribe to the comments for this postDreaming of a white Christmas? Or just a cold one?
Winter officially arrives tomorrow on December 21st. If you, like many other Kansans, are dreaming of a white Christmas this year, chances are you may be disappointed.
Although popular culture has made Christmas almost synonymous with snow, here in Kansas a white Christmas comes only about once every five years, according to State Climatologist Mary Knapp with K-State Research and Extension.
“December is really a dry month,” Knapp said. “Large snow storms are usually early or late in the season, meaning November or February and March.”
Most of Kansas averages an 11 to 21 percent chance of snowfall on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, Knapp said.
Even if we don’t have snow, the current cold temperatures will likely keep us bundled up for Christmas. However it is still not as cold as it could be. According to Mary Knapp, approximately 137 cities in the Central Plains and eastern United States set record lows on Dec. 22, 1989, as an Arctic airwave spread across these regions.
Wichita’s low temperature of 16 below zero set a record low for both the date and the month in that city. Goodland broke its record with a low temperature of 27 below zero, while Kansas City did the same with a low of 23 below zero.
Even these cold temperatures did not come close to the all time record low in Kansas. Lebanon recorded a low temperature of 40 below zero on Feb. 13, 1905.
Brrrr! I think I’ll take an “average” Christmas any day! Merry Christmas to all!
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
A Holiday Pledge to Myself
The holiday season is meant to be a time of joy and celebration. But, it can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Make this pledge to yourself for simpler, healthier holidays:
1. I am not going to overwork myself. Simplify plans for gifts, baking and entertaining to ease time pressures and have more fun.
2. I am not going to overspend. The holidays will be happier if you don’t break the budget. Remember, your loved ones value your presence more than your presents, so set a spending limit and focus on non-material ways to celebrate.
3. I am not going to overeat. Instead, plan to eat and serve healthful food. Healthy eating and regular exercise can keep you feeling energetic and avoid unwanted weight gain.
Follow these personal pledges to be sure you have the time, energy and resources to enjoy yourself, your family, your guests and your holiday celebrations this year.
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
Vote in Extension Elections, November 2
The Finney County Extension Council annual elections will be held on Tuesday, November 2 from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Finney County Extension Office, 501 S. 9th Street on the fairgrounds in Garden City. All legal residents of Finney County, age 18 and older, are eligible voters.
Three representatives shall be elected for each of the Extension Program Development Committees. Information about each candidate will be available at the election.
Candidates are:
Agriculture: Mike Deaver, Steve Hoffman, Dennis Zerr
Family & Consumer Sciences: Cindy Messenger, Consuelo Sandoval, Linda Wankum
4-H & Youth Development: Ben Gerber, Reigan McGraw, Elizabeth Mendoza
Economic Development: Steve Michel, Millie Norman, Ray Purdy
“Knowledge for Life” provided by the Finney County Extension Office and K-State Research and Extension.
Make a Difference Day
Mark your calendar for October 23rd. It the 20th annual “Make a Difference Day”, a national day to help others.
Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, “Make a Difference Day” is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. Millions have participated. Last year 3 million people cared enough about their communities to volunteer on that day, accomplishing thousands of projects in hundreds of towns.
Your project can be as large or as small as you wish! Visit a nursing home, give someone a call, take dinner to a friend, pick up trash in your neighborhood….your project doesn’t have to be large to make a difference in someone’s life.