Selfless vs. selfish: revamp New Year's resolutions to make a difference

Every year's resolutions seem the same: lose weight, get healthy, get a promotion at work. But what if you tweaked these traditional resolutions and made them benefit not only you, but the world around you? Try some of these resolution ideas that will make a difference to others.

Old resolution: "I will lose weight to look good for swimsuit season"

New resolution: "I will get healthy so I can play with my kids more"

• Yes, losing weight can make you feel better about how your body looks, but what about how your body feels?
• Try re-focusing the goal so that it's about health and fitness, not looks. What difference could a healthier body make in your life?
• Maybe you'd have more energy to play with the kids; maybe you'd work harder around the house; or you might even be in a better mood, which will rub off on everyone you meet.

Old resolution: "I will spring clean my house"

New resolution: "I will find what I can donate to other people"

• There's nothing wrong with resolving to clean up your house and get it really tidy.
• So how about taking that one step further and clearing out any excess "stuff": extra books, clothes, shoes you don't wear anymore, even furniture.
• You may find there's a lot of "stuff" in your house you just don't need - and chances are, there's someone out there who needs it more than you do.
• So give your home that deep clean, but try to donate some of your excess belongings to charity, too.

Old resolution: "I will get a pay rise at work"

New resolution: "I will become a better employee"

• This one might end up getting you the old resolution as well as the new one, too: a happier, more pleasant, and more productive employee is sure to be recognized by management as being a valuable asset to the company.
• It will also make your work environment more pleasant for your colleagues, and will likely even make your projects run smoother.

Old resolution: "I will donate some money to charity"

New resolution: "I will volunteer for some charities"

• It's easy enough to just make a donation - and granted, donations do help charities and the needy, but why not take that one step further and get your hands dirty?
• Take a day or two throughout the year to volunteer. You could help out at a soup kitchen, or a local charity. You might even be able to use your professional skills.

The plus side of these new resolutions is that they'll all make you feel good about yourself, too!