Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 02/03) - It's the new year and time to think about how we can improve ourselves.

By now, most of us who plan on making a New Year's resolution have already done so.

But is there really a point?

Darlene Nightingale doesn't think so.

She believes people jump too quickly to cite unrealistic goals just because a new year has begun.

"Everyone says they are going to live a healthier life style -- I'm going to exercise more, I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that -- and no one ever does it."

She admits she has made several New Year's resolutions, but has never followed through on them.

Setting a goal is something you do because you really want to, she said, not just because it's New Year's.

But Dave Harnum disagrees. He has the same New Year's resolution every year -- to make healthier lifestyle choices.

For him, that includes eating smarter and getting more exercise.

And he always keeps them -- or so he says.

"It's a goal to set. It's something you can look forward to," he said.

After pondering the question, city councillor Blake Lyons decided: "I am going to skate the entire length of the new Olympic-sized ice surface at the new arena in one go.

"When I first looked at it, I thought I could do a little overnight camping trip, but I'm going to give it one good shot -- the whole thing in one go," he said.

Lyons has overwhelming confidence in his skating abilities. He said making a New Year's resolution is not only about setting goals, "it's a lot of fun," too.

"As long as people don't frustrate themselves, (making a resolution) won't lose its enjoyment. You have to set things that are attainable."

A Web site (www.how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolution.com) has lots of tips for those who fear they cannot live up to their New Year's goals.

First of all, don't try to change everything at one time.

Second, word your resolution carefully so as not to set yourself up for failure.

Third, make an action plan indicating how to meet your goal.

Finally, write it down so you won't forget.

As an example of an unrealistic resolution, Lyons recalls a friend telling him that the Cincinnati Bengals would win the NFL title in the new year.

"And that was, gee whiz, about 40 years ago -- and they still haven't done it."