It only takes a few weeks into a New Year for most resolutions to become a distant memory. But this year, my resolution--to pack lighter--won't be put to the test until the first weekend in February. So I have time to practice and get it right.

It starts with the bag.  If I have a large bag, I will fill it up.  My brain takes one look and says, "Why waste all that space?"  So I over-pack and wind up having to lug all that stuff around wherever I am going.  It sounds like a good idea to have a lot to choose from but if I planned ahead for the outfits I was going to wear, I could save myself a lot of time. 

After spending a year volunteering abroad with several different organizations, I've pretty much figured out what does and doesn't work for me in a volunteer role. At times, volunteering has proven to be more challenging than I ever expected. Repeatedly, it has pushed me well beyond my comfort zone. It can be disconcerting and maddening and even scary at times. But every time I accomplish something I didn't think was possible in the name of giving back, I am grateful for the opportunity to test my personal limits. And I'm proud of myself - like put a gold star sticker on the fridge proud. I'm guessing every person has their own volunteering style, but here are a few things I've learned along the way when it comes to handling expectations.

How do you create lasting change this year in the areas that we struggle with most? As always, it starts with a plan and to help get you started, here's a six-step plan for success:

1. The first step is to re‐evaluate the previous year. Start by asking yourself "How did it go? How did you handle things? Did you handle yourself the way you wanted to?" Find your answers using the areas we typically struggle with most.

Nutrition/Healthy Eating: How did you handle yourself with food? Did you do a lot of social/binge/emotional or mindless eating?

Fitness/Exercise: How was your fitness? Were you motivated, did you enjoy your workouts and did you get the results you wanted?

Stress Control: How did you handle stress? Who or what was stressful for you and how did you handle it?

Emotional Health/Mindset: How was your emotional outlook? Were you as positive or optimistic as you would have liked?

Relationships: Take a look at your relationships. Were they supportive, loving, nurturing or toxic and destructive?

Business/Finances: How did you do with your business and finances? Did you reach your goals as far as the growth of your business, finances and career?

Personal/Spiritual Development: Did you grow personally and spiritually? What did you learn and were you living with passion and purpose?

If possible, I like to include my children in my business travel plans when it works for their busy schedules...and mine. I recently had to book tickets to Hong Kong for a business trip and thought it would be nice to take my two daughters along. Using the online award ticket tool on my airline of choice, I found three coach seats from Florida to Hong Kong in about three minutes for 120,000 points. Easy, right? For basically $100 in airport fees, I'll be able to take my girls on the trip. But something made me stop short of clicking the confirm button online.

I called an agent at the Diamond desk to explain what I was trying to do and to make sure this was the best value and class of service I could obtain with my points. To my great surprise, I was able to secure three Business Class tickets from Florida to Hong Kong and back within minutes of my call for the same amount of miles. Even as a million-mile traveler, I still had a lesson to learn. Of course, I deposed the overly friendly Diamond agent and learned even more tips and strategies during my short call, which I will gladly share with you.

The next time you are trying to cash in your points, remember these tricks:

Is it too much to ask that you set up a security line for rookies? I don't mind taking off my shoes. I don't mind taking my iPad and/or laptop out of my bag. I don't even mind taking off my coat, scarf, sweater, watch, rings and bracelet. But I do mind getting in line behind someone who doesn't know they have to do all of those things.

As hard as it is to believe, there are some people who still haven't gotten the memo. They don't know that they have to strip and de-shoe. They don't speak the language of 3-1-1. Since it's the holidays, more and more of them are flying. And it seems like they're all in the security line ahead of me.

What gift will you give yourself this holiday season?

Really? You're not planning to give yourself a give this year? You're feeling guilty about spending money on yourself when you are spending so much money already on everyone else? 

Then you need a value reality check.