I've got to tell you up front, I hate New Year's resolutions.

And the reason I hate them is simple.

I stink at them.

I'm not very good at carrying out resolutions much past Feb. 1.

My intentions are always very good and honorable when I first declare the annual list I'd like to do better in the year ahead.

The trouble is I have a much tougher time carrying through with them.

If you are honest, I am sure you are not much different than I am.

Resolutions are tough especially when they deal with things like losing weight -- ouch, exercising -- more -- ouch, and being a nicer person -- double ouch.

Nonetheless, I will in the year 2009 attempt to do better and actually have hopes of making it to at least July 1 before I fudge on my list of resolutions.

In the coming year:

* I resolve to cultivate a better relationship with my God -- learning to listen to him better and more often and spend time studying and reading his Word.

* I resolve to be a better husband. That includes spending more quality time with my wife that will actually include some conversation about things other than work. This will also include being a better gift-giver, a weakness I am seriously going to conquer.

* I resolve to be a better father and grandfather. There again, I need to spend more time with my loved ones and engage in some fun activities.

* I resolve to work smarter. That will mean spending less time checking my e-mail accounts and surfing the Internet reading the dozens of blogs that I frequent on most days. I will spend more time writing and doing what I love to do in this newspaper profession -- digging for those human interest stories about your neighbors and mine.

* I resolve to become healthier with better sleep habits and food choices. I know I need to drop a bunch of pounds with smarter menu selections and much smaller serving portions. This needs to become a lifestyle change for me and not another "soon to be failed" diet. Oh, and I need to exercise more and if I do any exercise at all, it will be more than I did in the year 2008.

* I resolve to evaluate my personal contribution to my community. What can I do to make my community a better place to work, live and raise a family? I will volunteer more to serve in ways to improve my community.

* I resolve to find ways to get along better with my boss and colleagues.

* I resolve to be more organized at home and at the office. That means I will pick up after myself.

* I resolve to take at least one job-related self-improvement seminar. Are there new techniques, tools and concepts that I need to know about to constantly make myself a better employee?

* I resolve to improve my relationship with at least one person with whom I do not get along with now.

* I resolve not to buy a political office from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

* I resolve to be less downbeat, less cynical and more optimistic.

Have a great, healthy and prosperous 2009.

Nick is the assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com or nschneider@gcdailyworld.com .