That said, the New Year is a great time to review your accomplishments of the past year, regroup from disappointments, and brainstorm bigger and better dreams for the coming year. If you want to find a creative way to renew this year and ditch the typical resolution fare (in case you haven’t heard, about 97% of New Year’s resolutions fail!), here are a few ideas:

• Have a family summit. This is more of a goal setting exercise, rather than resolutions (apparently, even the Kardashians do this each year!). My husband and I started doing this several years ago. Set aside a special time to review the family accomplishments of the past year, and think positively about the new one. Pick 3-4 big categories in your lives– career, family, health, money, etc.– and come up with a handful of yearly goals in each department. Choose attainable goals/projects (paint the house, ask for a promotion)– along with a few reach goals. The idea is that you’ll check in with your goals a couple times during the next year.
• Pick a theme. Another new year’s trend is to skip the traditional restrictive resolutions (i.e., quit smoking, lose weight) and instead pick a broad theme to inspire your actions during the upcoming year. This can literally be one word–  perhaps it’s “family” or “gratitude” or “relaxation”. This is a lower-stress way to encourage broader changes in your thinking and priorities throughout the year.
• Do a massive “edit”– from closets to Facebook. We hear so much about spring cleaning, but the new year is a great time to “prune” what’s weighing you down from the previous year. Go through, say, your bathroom cabinets, make up bag or closet and ruthlessly toss the items you haven’t used in months. I plan to finally purge the boxes and bags of makeup samples I’ve had for years (in fact, maybe I’ll do this today!). Also, consider pruning your Facebook friends and even your contacts in your phone. If you haven’t spoken or interacted with contacts (or, you just have people hanging in there that consistently annoy you), just press delete. You’ll instantly feel lighter.
• Think “wants” rather than “shoulds”. The top resolutions are consistently to stop smoking and lose weight–things we all should do to be healthy. Yet the #1 reason for failing to keep up the resolution is lack of motivation. Instead of saying what “should” I do or what do I need to do, ask yourself what do I really WANT to change about my life? To keep up that motivation, you really have to want to make a certain life change. This year, pick a small new year’s goal that sparks passion and fun in your life– maybe you always wanted to take a painting or photography class. Do it!

[Editor's Note: The following is the first in our new series Business School Diaries, written by Alexandra Bochicchio, a first-year at a top business school (which we'll call "XBS").]

I officially have finished my first semester of business school!  After living, breathing, and talking XBS for the past three and a half months, I am looking forward to a one-month hiatus.   While school definitely has been fun, it has not exactly been the vacation my friends and colleagues told me it would be.  Specifically no one warned me about the emotional rollercoaster: I fluctuate daily among self-doubt, apathy, gratitude, and excitement.  While I by no means have it all figured out, I do want to share a few things I wish I had known in September.

You’re no different from anyone else. Because I am introverted and hoping to make a career switch out of finance, I immediately thought I was different from my seemingly networking-loving, super-social classmates.  However, over the course of the semester I have realized that we all are at turning points in our careers and slightly nervous to have made the decision to step off the professional treadmill and go back to school.  While people show insecurities in different ways, at the end of the day we all want to be accepted by and learn from one another.

Differentiate yourself. I used to stand out as the smart, former college athlete who worked in finance.  However this now describes 90% of my classmates (just swap out “consulting” for “finance”).  Therefore, I need to find other ways to distinguish myself.  One of my best decisions was applying to be the first-year writer for the XBS parody show.  Although I applied because I thought it would be fun, writing for the show has led to a disproportionate number of conversations with classmates and potential employers.  Graduate school allows me the time and resources to explore things outside of the core curriculum, and I need to make sure I take advantage of this.

Be vulnerable. One of my biggest fears is looking stupid or weak, and I used to live by the philosophy that it was better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak out and remove all doubt.  However, I have made the best connections with classmates when I let my guard down or am not 100% politically correct.  There is so much pressure to be professional in business school that it is easy to forget how friendships actually are made: I (while not too inebriated) share something personal, you share something, and BOOM! a little trust is formed.

You were let in for a reason. Sometimes a dumb comment in class can lead to a downward spiral: Why did I say that?  That was dumb.  I am dumb.  XBS was dumb for admitting me. This is cockamamie.  More often than not no one notices my stupid comment or action (however, the same can be said for the few times I thought I made a brilliant contribution).  Because admissions are so competitive, schools take it very seriously, and no student is accepted because of a fluke (one exception – is the school currently constructing a library in your name?!).  The sooner I accept this, the sooner I can stop the downward spiral and instead concentrate on trying to say something brilliant (a work-in-progress).

Keep your eye on the prize. My classmates and I asked about twenty-five questions during our last finance class in hopes our professor would let slip a nugget of knowledge which would give us an edge on the final exam.  And XBS doesn’t even give grades.  Our professor said it best when he pointed out most of us have worked for a number of years and some even have families; being overly stressed about an exam is, well, silly.  The stakes in business school are relatively low – I would much rather mess up my net present value calculation on an exam than during an important board meeting (warning – I may be rationalizing a bit).  Although it is a constant struggle, it is essential to maintain perspective and remember everything will work itself out.  This philosophy has served me fairly well thus far; there is no reason to think it won’t in the future.

–Alexandra Bochicchio

Invitations hardly ever came across as inviting to me.  Sometimes I worried about accepting an invitation because I thought other plans might come through.  The problem with that was that the other plans didn’t come through. (More than likely I had turned them down as well!)  That mentality added up to a lot of missed chances and missed opportunities.  I wouldn’t say that in the past three months I’ve turned into a “Yes Man” (better yet, Woman).  Instead,  I no longer look at every  invitation as something trying to steal my time, my funds, or whatever else excuse I’ve made up for it in the past.

For instance, how could I have let myself miss out on my most recent invite?  I’m so pleased and excited about my recent invitation to help the Make A Wish Foundation with publicizing an upcoming event.  Accepting the invitation, has given me the opportunity to learn more about effective social media methods, PR writing, and all the while giving back.  Remembering to look at the big picture, I consider all invitations as an opportunity first rather than an obstacle.

Working out regularly has always been a method for me to keep my sanity and stay grounded.  When I stopped going to the gym regularly, I could just tell I was different.  I was crabbier, pessimistic, and goodness—I had a difficult time focusing!  It has been a huge relief finally getting back on a workout schedule and maintaining a minimum of four gym visits a week.  I feel better in all of my clothes (although, it definitely gets me in the mood to shop more!) which is an instant wardrobe lift.  There were a couple of occasions that I pulled a few things out of the closet that I had been debating on whether to donate, only to fall in love with them all over again once I tried them on.  Confidence aside, my regular workouts give me more energy and optimism to work hard throughout the day.

Three months is a short time in the grand scheme of things, but it is plenty of time to get on the right track.  2011 is a new year and I can’t imagine what I’ll accomplish in the next twelve months, but having seen what I can do in three, I’ll just take it three months at a time.  What will your three-month goals be?

–Cassandra Altmann

[Editor's note: The following is a guest post by Greekforme.com]

Some of the brightest and most talented business professionals were members of a sorority while in college, and dedicate themselves to helping sorority girls enter the “real world” after graduation. How can you work the network after you graduate? First, before you leave campus, ask your chapter officers to supply you with an updated list of past sorority graduates and any notes on what they’re currently doing and how to contact them. Many sororities already have this information in place, and sorority elders are typically more than happy to help you out if time permits. Here are a four ways your sisterhood can help you after you’ve traded in Sorority Apparel for business suits:

• Post-Grad Internships

Experience is key to securing the job you want and ensuring you have the skills to excel at it. You don’t have to be a college student to grab an internship; you simply need to have the drive and motivation to succeed at that internship. Consult your sorority networking list to see if any past sorority graduates are in industries similar to your future work interests, but don’t be afraid to try something that pushes your skill set. Just remember that these are busy girls, so it may take them a few days to return your voicemail!

• Fine-Tune Your Resume

Creating a resume has truly turned into a fine art. Look for women on your sorority networking list who work in Human Resources (HR) departments, are managers, or even have their own company. These are the ladies who have likely conducted many an interview and know what makes a good resume, interview, and job candidate. Meet with one or two ladies to talk about your current resume and how you can really hit it out of the park on your next interview. In addition, be sure to talk about on-the-job skills that make up extraordinary team members.

• Potential Job Opps

Connecting with a past sorority member over job opportunities doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get the job, but it can be that connection that helps your resume shine over the rest and get you scheduled in for an interview. First, be sure your resume and cover letter are up to date and properly spell-checked, and reach out via a phone call to women on your sorority networking list who work in careers related to your industry of choice. Think of that phone call as your first interview – you’ll need to sound just as composed and mature as you would in the interview hot seat. If it doesn’t work out the first time, always try again with the next woman on your list. Perseverance pays off!

• Seek Out A Mentor

Many sororities now work to secure mentorships between current sorority girls and their sorority alumni. If you’re already in a mentorship program, excellent! If not, ask your chapter officers if they know of any past sorority women who would be open to meeting with you for coffee or lunch once a month to chat about life after college – from what to look for in that first apartment to how to ask for a raise. Your mentor can help give you unbiased real world advice, as they’re outside your family and friends.

Sure, we know it may feel a bit intimidating to reach out to a past sorority girl you don’t know firsthand, but you’re a fearless go-getter – and hey, she was in your position at one time, too! If it doesn’t work out the first time, there’s a whole sorority network at your fingertips, so simply move onto the next.

Ed2010.com, my magazine control center, recently posted a list of tweets from fellow magazine editors and wannabes. I was quite surprise by how many list their resolution as finding a job. There are many people like me all vying for the same positions. Just a reminder that I have to step up my game to stand out.

In the spirit of the holiday, I’m making three resolutions that will keep me on a positive path.

1. Take Better Care of Myself

It is easy for me to blame my professional slump on my personal slump. I don’t have any reasons to change out of my pajamas everyday and, exercise, I can do that tomorrow. But in reality, I’m 24. It’s time to develop a health routine and stick with it, regardless of what else is going on with my life. It starts with getting my hair cut more than once a year and weaning myself off of Diet Coke. I am a firm believer if you take care of yourself, other aspects of your life will start to fall into place.

2. Network, Network, Network

I know we have talked about the importance of networking before, but I need to branch out from my normal email and phone calls. It is time to go to events and informal interviews. One website suggests trying to make one contact a week. It is easy to make excuses. “I have to go home and take care of my dog,” or “It is too far away.” I’m not going to meet people unless I get out from my computer! It is time to extend the perimeters of my comfort zone.

3. Try to Get More Freelance Gigs

This past year, my freelancing career did not go well. I wrote one story that was cut the last minute because the subject didn’t want the story published. I wrote another story that was published online, but after the fact, the editors told me they didn’t have any money to pay me. Each story was about $300. I met the owner and editor of a local publication that seemed really excited about me writing for the magazine. But once I started calling and emailing, I never heard back from him. But heading into the New Year, I am going to stay positive. I know, easier said than done. Freelancing is a must in the journalism world, especially since I’m working for free.

I learned a lot in 2010, and I’m excited to make these three goals become a part of my new routine for the new year!

–Samantha Hyde

Samantha Hyde graduated from the University of Texas in 2009. During her time spent in Austin, she interned and contributed to Austin Monthly, Texas Parks & Wildlife and Texas Highways magazine. She served as president of the magazine club and editor-in-chief of a college magazine, burntORANGE. Her issue, “How to be a Longhorn,” won second place in general excellence at the 2009 AEJMC awards.

This year, my employer teamed up for the second time with the Make A Wish Foundation to raise money to help the local chapter and grant wishes for San Diego children with life threatening illnesses.  I received my boss’ email regarding the opportunity to volunteer for the event.  As it turned out, last year’s event was wildly successful despite having limited PR and social media exposure.  The event coordinator was hoping to top last year’s success and have a great social media campaign.  I emailed the coordinator immediately and set up a meeting to start strategizing: facebook, Twitter, blog, etc.  The more I thought about ideas the more excited I became to get others involved, to seek out donations, and to share the event invitation.

The event is planned for mid-April, so January through March will be months packed with community networking and outreach to get other organizations and individuals involved and hyped.  Volunteering for such a worthy cause certainly will create connections with others in the community on such a deeper level then any other networking event.  The opportunity to volunteer for MAW more or less fell in my lap, but it got me to thinking about the huge benefit volunteering helps the cause as well as the volunteer.

I think the key to forging longstanding relationship with a cause or charity is to really find one that speaks to you as a volunteer.  If you don’t understand the benefit of the cause or truly feel connected, the chances of staying committed and lending your free time are small.  Choosing a charity that directly benefits the community you live in also helps you staying committed because the results will impact people you know, places you go, or things that you do.

Finding volunteering opportunities is as easy as 1, 2, Google.  Using the word volunteer and the city you live in will populate several online sites to help you discover how you can give back to your community.  However, if there’s a type of cause you’d be interested in getting behind such as cancer research, park preservation, etc. then add that to your search as well.  Or just start by asking yourself, “What cause could I devote two hours a month to?”

–Cassandra Altmann

First came her high-end line (loved by celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker) and several boutiques, then a wildly successful marriage with Target.  Having sold her company for a reported $50 million in 2007, her newest ‘babies’ are a non-maternity line for HSN called Completely Me, and a shopping newsletter with her sister called Shopafrolic.  “I’ve never written a business plan for anything I’ve done,” Liz says. “For me, it’s very organic—jumping on new opportunities that come my way.” Below, more work and life secrets from the designer and mom of two.

Currently reading: “My friend Alexandra Lebenthal’s fantastic page turner The Recessionistas and Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh (the CEO of Zappos.com).”

Must-have make-up item: Laura Mercier bronzing gel. “I mix it with my moisturizer every morning to give my skin that tan, glowy look.”

On trusting yourself: “The first year of my business I was paralyzed. Some days I just lied in bed in a curled-up ball when I could have been getting things done! I was asking for validation instead of actually doing something—instead of just believing in my gut instinct and going forward.”

Can’t live without: Constant blow-outs. “My hair is my obsession and I just can’t do it myself. Embarrassing but true!”

Hiring m.o.: Passion matters more than a fancy resume. “One of my best employees ever was a girl who wrote me a very specific letter when she was still in college, describing her excitement for my brand and her experience working for a competitor. She started as an assistant, and was eventually our marketing director.”

Fave vacation spot(s): Palm Beach and the Mayan Riviera with the kids during the winter, Paris in the Spring, Capri in July

Holiday stay-slim secret: “All year long, I never just eat to eat; I only eat what I love. (Okay, and I work out with a personal trainer 3 times a week so that I can eat what I love!)”

Advice for recent grads: “Spend your twenties allowing yourself to try a lot of different things. If there’s some way you can focus on what you might love—something that doesn’t feel like work (at least not all the time)—chances are you’ll end up being very good at it and making money.”

Wish for the new year: Clarity and contentment

To learn more about Liz, visit her website, or check out her latest venture, Shopafrolic.

Get a planner… and use it! Nothing is worse than showing up to a meeting late, unprepared, or worse- forgetting about it altogether! In her organizational book Organize Now! Jennifer Ford Berry suggests using one planner for both work and personal to avoid overlapped appointments. Decide whether an electronic or traditional scheduling book fits better into your lifestyle and refer to it daily.

Save time with color coding. Don’t be afraid to add a hint of color to your workspace in the name of organization! Highlight your schedule using a different color for tasks, meetings, functions, and deadlines to make items stand out and easier to locate. The same rule applies to file folders, notebooks, and even email contacts. The easier it is to find what you are looking for, the less time you will waste in your search.

Pass on the Post-Its! If you constantly find yourself sifting through scrap paper to find an important client’s contact information, your lack of organization could be hindering your efficiency. Toss the scraps and instead use separate bound notebooks for phone calls, meetings, and conferences. Next time you are looking for an important number, you won’t have to rummage through a sea of sticky notes to find it!

Tackle your task list. Write your to-do list in your planner so it is always easy to locate. Tasks should be listed according to their level of priority and when they must be completed – today, this week, or this month. Review your list at the beginning of each workday (and throughout the day if possible) to keep yourself on the path of productivity.

Clear the clutter. Take the minimalist approach to decorating your desktop- keep only the necessities in sight! Get into a regular routine of sorting mail and loose papers as soon as you get them and begin purging files at least once a year. Shred, recycle, and repeat.

Empty your inbox. Your inbox should not be a dumping ground for every email you have ever received.  Is yours emptied daily or is it at max capacity? If you answered the latter, it is time for you to set up an email organization system. Sally McGhee, founder and CEO of McGee Productivity Solutions, suggests tackling emails one at a time at a specific time every day. Use the “4 D’s for Decision-Making” model to process each incoming email as it is received by deciding whether you should Delete it, Do it, Delegate it, or Defer it.

Organization can lead you to a more focused and productive workday so you can focus less on the mess and more on your job! Additional tips can be found at JenniferFordBerry.com, Lifehacker.com and LifeOrganizers.com.

–Rosalyn Wik

Hi Jane!

Few etiquette rules are as awkward as holiday tipping– and the hair stylist is at the top of the list. While some old-school experts still adhere to the “cost of an entire visit,” this measure is very confusing depending on what type of service you get (color vs. cut vs. regular blowdries). In practice, the custom is much more relaxed nowadays, especially given the economy. New rule: up your normal tip on your pre-holiday visit to about 50% from your normal 15 or 20%.  And while cash is king (!), many stylists told me that it’s common practice for clients to go for a more traditional gift such as a bottle of wine or gift card. About not tipping the owner, that’s also seems to be a rule that’s fallen by the wayside. Nowadays, if the owner is your regular stylist, go ahead and tip him or her!

For more info on whom to tip what this holiday season, check out some segments I did for ABC News and Good Day Atlanta on the topic.

1. Take a Break

Last week I was so worked up that the only way I knew how to come down from it was to not think about the job-hunt for an entire weekend. So, Friday through Sunday, I didn’t think about it. I didn’t visit job boards or look at my bank account. I simply enjoyed a nice weekend with my family putting up our Christmas decorations. Monday, I felt rejuvenated instead of defeated.

2. Change my vocabulary

“I feel like a failure” has been my motto for the past couple of weeks, and friends and family have been quick to correct me. From now on, failure will no longer be in my vocabulary. Along the same lines, I’m going to try to keep a positive attitude. I certainly don’t want future employers to be swayed by any negativity I may put off.

3. Change my routine

This article really spoke to me. I currently have a routine that is not only NOT working out for my job search, but not healthy for me personally. I wake up and go to bed later than I use to and some days don’t even get out of my pajamas. I need to set a routine so I’m not staring at the computer nine hours a day getting sidetrack because “I’ll have time to do that later.”

4. Stop worrying that I’m bothering people

I know how busy people are and how often they are probably contacted about a job, so I don’t like to be that pesky person that keeps emailing and calling until they don’t reply anymore. Usually I leave the ball in their court. If I send them an email and they don’t respond, I chalk it up to they are going in a different direction. I submitted an application last week and didn’t hear anything back. So, in an effort to get out of my funk, I emailed again asking the status of the job. This time, she replied back telling me she’ll pass my resume and writing samples on to her boss. This may seem like a no-brainer for some, but for me, it is a big deal!

5. Just start writing

I do love to write. I don’t do it very often, so to get out of my funk, I’m going to make it a goal to write something every day. Whether it’s a restaurant review on my blog, a chapter in the next great American novel I want to write or a Letter to the Editor of one of my favorite magazines.

6. Have daily goals

In the book A Piece of Cake, the author Cupcake Brown talks about her drug addiction. She said to get through it she had to take it one day at a time. I think if I start having small daily goals (say applying to five jobs in one day) my long-term goals will be easier to achieve.

7. Try to get in contact with people whose job I want

This could be a subheading of No. 4, but I’ve got to start talking to people I admire. I like to do things in person, but I shouldn’t be so shy. Advice is free, and most people love to give it!

8. Try bulk up my “Skills” section

This may seem like a gimme, but why not use this time to improve on my skills or learn something new. I took a class on HTML in college, but haven’t used it since. Now’s the perfect time to build back that knowledge.

9. Learn how to use social networking sites better

Yes, I’m on Linkedin.com, but I’m not sure how it is suppose to help me in my career. So, I’m vowing to learn to use these sites to help me.

10. Enjoy the holiday season

I may not be living in New York this season, but I cannot let that affect my spirits. This is such an important time to spend with family and I need to remember to be thankful that I get to spend it with mine. Plus, because I have more time, I’m now in charge of baking the Christmas cookies!

–Samantha Hyde

Samantha Hyde graduated from the University of Texas in 2009. During her time spent in Austin, she interned and contributed to Austin Monthly, Texas Parks & Wildlife and Texas Highways magazine. She served as president of the magazine club and editor-in-chief of a college magazine, burntORANGE. Her issue, “How to be a Longhorn,” won second place in general excellence at the 2009 AEJMC awards.