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Happy New Year! With January almost upon us, it's time to start thinking about those New Year's resolutions. Are you focusing on self-improvement this year? Eating healthy, exercising more, quitting smoking - is one of those at the top of your list? Self-improvement is a wonderful goal. But why not try to be a little bit more environmentally altruistic this year and resolve to start living a greener life? With a few simple changes, each of us can reduce our environmental footprint and do our part to improve the condition of our cities and our planet.

Change Your Lifestyle

Going green doesn't have to be a difficult, painful or inconvenient process. We can all make a positive impact on the environment by:

• making eco-friendly (green lifestyle) choices,
• using products that conserve energy and pollute less,
• recycling and re-using more,
• limiting the use of toxic household chemicals, and
• promoting greener ideas in our households and our communities.

Consume Less Energy

There are many simple ways we can cut down on electricity, water and gas usage without compromising comfort. This Australian government website offers a wealth of information on cutting consumption and saving money on utilities. No matter where in the world you live, you can cut consumption and lower your bills by following a few simple rules.

Tune Up Your Vehicle

A properly maintained vehicle not only runs more efficiently, it also burns less fuel and produces fewer emissions. Earthshare.org suggests making sure tires are properly inflated, getting regular tune-ups and changing your air filter. All of these suggestions will save you money by improving your gas mileage, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Be Conscious of What Goes Down Your Drain

Do you pour solvents, paints, bleach and other corrosive or harsh chemicals down your drain? This article on Freedrinkingwater.com should give you pause for thought.

NEVER pour things down the drain that you wouldn't be willing to drink out of a glass!

ALWAYS take these materials to a hazardous waste disposal site instead of sending them down into the sewer system, from where they will end up back in the water table.

While it is undoubtedly an honor to be asked to deliver the eulogy at a funeral, most people get very anxious about the prospect of delivering a eulogy. And understandably so. It is a very emotional experience for most people, especially since the deceased person is someone you knew very well - a relative or a dear friend. This article has tips to help get you through the process.

A good speech is built from the ground up. Approach it the same way you would approach the planning and construction of a home. It must have a solid foundation, reinforced with facts and logic, before the ornamental fiddly bits (humor, style and delivery) are added. Form and functionality must combine to create the final aesthetic "whole".

There are nine key elements to giving a gracious and memorable acceptance speech. Remember these and you'll be accepting awards left, right and center.

It is a singular honor to be asked to give a commencement speech at your old high school, college or university. It can also be very nerve-wracking to prepare such a speech. By following these simple guidelines, you can make the process much less anxiety-laden and even enjoyable!

First impressions are the most important. But most public speakers do not have the chance to shape the audience’s first impression of them, because more often than not, they are being introduced by someone else. Therefore delivering a good, effective introduction is very important.

Because of the global nature of our economy, the world has become a much smaller place. You may therefore find yourself speaking more and more often to predominantly foreign audiences. This will necessitate learning a new set of ground rules for each country and each cultural segment you are addressing.