BETWEEN THE LINES: STARTING THE YEAR WITH BIG CHANGES BUT FEW RESOLUTIONS

"The best thing to give up in a New Year's resolution is to give up giving up."

-- Evan Escar

I'm starting over in 1998. This is the Year of Change.

I'm ready to pay off my credit cards, spend less, save more and lose weight in 1998. I didn't have much success in 1997, but I'm willing to try again.

There's a radio commercial for film airing now with the product slogan, "There are no do-overs in life."

I don't think that statement is true. I'm ready for a do-over -- every day, every year is a chance to start over. I'm not giving up.

This year, I opted to make changes in my life instead of making the annual New Year's resolutions. It's the same basic concept, but the execution is somewhat different.

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions because I'm not very good at sticking to them. I can't remember ever making a resolution and actually following through with it.

Many people have the same problem. The resolutions aren't realistic.

I watched a news segment Monday about New Yorkers' resolutions. One woman resolved to get out her list from 1997 and try again. I like her tenacity. She's not giving up.

Jennifer, my friend in Florida, doesn't make New Year's resolutions because she says making them only sets people up for failure.

I disagree. Resolutions are decisions to change. If you set a realistic goal to change your life -- kick a bad habit, lose weight, etc. -- and mean it, then you'll be more inclined to do it.

My problem has been that I said I wanted to change but never did anything about it. Therefore, my resolutions flopped.

For several years, I didn't have any goals to strive for. I'd already finished college and started working in the "real world." I was coasting on my achievements.

But John, another friend in Florida, taught me a lesson about setting goals and making changes. He said that sometimes people get so caught up in the "this-is-so-urgent-have-to-get-it-done-today" things of life, that they forget about the truly important things.

I realized I was doing the urgent things and forgetting the important things. When I realized this, I made a resolution to change. I didn't have to wait for the new year either.

I'm happy to say that I succeeded with that resolution. I left a job where I was miserably unhappy, returned home and am surrounded by friends and family. At the same time, I left many friends behind.

While living in Florida, I learned a lot about setting goals, making changes and finding happiness and success. It's a lesson I frequently need to hear.

I think I've learned enough now that I'm ready to focus on the important things and set the urgent ones aside.

So I'm setting goals and making changes in 1998.

The credit cards are tucked away so that I can't use them -- except in emergencies. And I'm developing a budget and savings plan I can live with.

I joined the gym shortly after moving back to Missouri -- that's progress in the weight loss battle.

Changing isn't an easy task, I'll assure you. It's terribly difficult, sometimes painful and rather uncomfortable.

I don't like the process of change, but I'm resolving not to give up giving up.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.