Now that we’re a few weeks into the New Year, I’m wondering how many resolutions made on Jan. 1 are little more than wistful memories.
I’ll venture to say, on behalf of all of us, quite a few.

At least, that’s usually the way it is for me. I’ll start the year raring to go, determined to rate my personal best at whatever goal I’ve set. 

However, before I’ve reached the magic 21 days that experts say it takes to form a new habit, I’ve reverted to some of the old ones.

So this year, instead of creating a mile-long list of things to accomplish in 2009, I made a list of goals I’d like to achieve long-term: in two years, five, 10 and 15. 

With this list, I have time to plan, focus and prepare. I can research best practices or the most cost effective routes and create a roadmap to guide me toward success.

The one New Year’s promise (I still won’t call it a resolution) that I made, and that I’m thrilled to say I’m keeping so far, is a personal challenge I devised to make my often-hectic life a little saner: Take Five.

What is Take Five? 

It’s a reminder that even when I’m facing writing deadlines, overseeing homework, shuttling kids to practice, promoting a new book, preparing dinner, scheduling play dates, completing household chores and making time to connect with friends and family (does any of this sound familiar?), if I can give myself just 5 minutes to do whatever I want, the rest of the day is a little sweeter.

There’s no pressure to fill those minutes with something fabulous. 

My list has included everything from taking an extra five to declutter my car, to packing school lunches after dinner, instead of putting off the task until morning.

Those mundane choices make me happier in the long run, because I’m less stressed when I’m on the go, and I can fully enjoy the moment in which I find myself.

My list also includes meaningful things. 

Recently I’ve been taking 5-minute breaks to write notes to several elderly friends in my native Arkansas, to read more of the newspaper, and to play board games more often with my family.

Yes, the board games usually last beyond five minutes, but when I look up 20 minutes later, having laughed and chatted over the fun, I haven’t regretted the decision.

To achieve my Take Five goals, I just take what comes. 

When an opportunity arises, or I’m tempted to delay a task, I ask myself two questions: Is this something that I can experience or accomplish in a very short period of time? Will having given 5 minutes to this effort make me smile or leave me satisfied when I’m done?

If my answer to one or both questions is “yes,” then I move forward.

My challenge to you today, as we race toward the second month of 2009, is to take 5 minutes to brainstorm a list of things – both meaningful and whimsical – that you could accomplish in 5 minutes.

Here are a few ideas to get you started. This week:

* Chat with an older neighbor who may be thirsty for attention;

* Call, email or text a few people to let them know you’re thinking of them, just because;

* Give your children extra hugs and tell them you’re glad they’re in your life;

* Say something good to yourself about yourself (which is important in a celebrity-crazed culture that tells us we have to be ultra thin and ultra rich to matter);

* Sit in silence and let your mind wander. You’ll be surprised at what fun or funny recollections surface;

* Breathe deeply, which is good for you and helps you instantly feel better; and

* Laugh at yourself, because while we long to be perfect, being “real” is so much more interesting.

Again, these are just suggestions.

Try some of them out - not necessarily on a daily basis – to see what feels right for you. Or, you can disregard this list and make a personal Take Five guide that better fits who you are.

The cool thing about a random list like this is that there’s no one monitoring your progress. There’s no need to beat yourself up if you didn’t get something quite right.

What matters is your willingness to embrace whatever comes your way during the day and to decide for yourself what merits your 5 minutes of focus.

This is the one resolve (okay, resolution) that I’ve maintained beyond 21 days, and I’m enjoying the process and the results.

Give it a try and let me know how you fare.