I believe in New Year’s resolutions, if only to focus my mind on the kind of person I want to aspire to be. (My friend Caryn has written a great article in praise of resolutions.) Typically, I focus on my shortcomings — things I want to improve.

This year, I thought I would try for a more balanced approach, that looks at the major areas of my life. For me, the main areas are: Body, Mind, Spirit, Work, Family, Music, and Community (not necessarily in that order).

My overall plan is to scan each of these areas periodically, just to check in with how I am doing. I realize that, at different times, I will have energy in different areas. Over time, if I can push ahead in all these areas, I think I will have a balanced life.

Here are the areas I want to focus on this year, along with concrete ideas of what I hope to do in each area.

Body

• Do P90X again
• Continue regular yoga practice
• Improve diet; eat more often

Mind

• Improve my conversational French
• Learn something new that takes concentration and commitment over time

Spirit

• Pray every day
• Have a discussion that touches on values with another person at least once per day
• Seek out and follow direction

Work

• Improve deliveries by completing work ahead of deadline and do deeper review prior to submission
• Seek out colleagues’ input more, and earlier
• Do the hardest, or least pleasant, things first in the day

Family

• Adhere to regular family dinner time; cook at least four nights per week
• Instigate and create more opportunities for family activities

Creativity

• Write a new song each month (at least)
• Practice guitar more regularly
• Write something every day

Community

• Take on a service position in a community organization
• Attend more community functions