You know him when you see him. He's the new millennium man: Well-groomed, articulate, sensitive and savvy. Now that we're headed towards a brand new year, how will the 2004 model possibly top that? Will he begin to communicate about his feelings? Give up channel-surfing? Will his highlights look better than yours?
If questions like these are racing through your head, you need to stop and change directions. The question is not about how the men will change in 2004 but how you will adjust your own perspectives for the new year. If you're interested in a relationship with an exciting, new renaissance man, then you must focus on being the new renaissance woman. Exploring new ideas and new experiences is what the new year and dating, are all about. So to gear up for all the new possibilities for meeting and mingling with the men of 2004, here are some suggestions for your 2004 dating agenda:
Throw out all your pre-conceived beliefs
Toss those ideas about what your date should look like or do for a living, out with last year's peasant tops. Pre-conceived notions only limit your opportunities, and when it comes to dating, you want to go for expansion. Open yourself up to the chance that your Mr. Right might not be six-feet-tall and have a bank account the size of Russell Crowe's ego. But he just might have a fabulous body an a wit that makes you hysterical. You never know how your next date will happen and who he will be, so just stay open.
Change your routine
So you only drink your coffee at Starbuck's and do kick-boxing at the Y. Maybe all the cute guys get their coffee at Caribou and are hanging out at the local health club doing yoga. The point is that changing your routine might introduce you to a whole new world of people and experiences.
"I used to only go to my neighborhood grocery store for years," says Colleen, a 27-year-old flight attendant. "It wasn't because I loved it or anything, it was just convenient and it never occurred to me to try any other place. One day, they ran out of my brand of wheat bread so I went to a health food store a couple of miles away. They had the bread and I met several informed, vegetarian guys that shop there all the time. I've since gone vegetarian and have a whole new group of friends. That one little adjustment in my routine helped redirect the course of my life."
Become more aware of the people and things around you
It's easy to get caught up in a rushed schedule of work, family and friends. Maybe you've noticed the man who sells you a newspaper from his news stand ,or that empty house on your block, but that's about all. Perhaps the news stand man has a fascinating life story, as well a handsome and available son. Maybe that old house is being turned into a community center. Take the time to get to know the people around you as well as your surroundings, making these connections will attract even more people into your life.
Do something that challenges you
Getting into a predictable rut sucks the spirit out of your life. Even if it's just taking on an unfamiliar project at work, performing tasks that make us expand our knowledge stimulates us — and the excitement you feel will translate to everyone you meet.
"I decided to learn origami to keep my fingers and wrists flexible when I developed carpal tunal syndrome," says Tracy, an energetic, 25-year-old actuary. "It was very difficult for me to catch on but once I did, I was really proud of my accomplishment. I was telling a friend about what I had learned, and this guy asked me out after listening to me talk about my origami class. He said that he was impressed by my determination and wanted to get to know me better."
Focus on all the wonderful things you have to offer
Instead of being so concerned about what qualities guys will have in 2004, concentrate and develop all of the amazing things that make up who you are. Caring and compassionate? Start doing some volunteer work. Have a beautiful voice? Pamper it with honey concoctions and use it for its greatest effect whenever you meet someone new. Just remember, you have a great influence on the quality of the men that you meet, make sure you're at your highest level personally and the men of 2004 will follow suit.
If questions like these are racing through your head, you need to stop and change directions. The question is not about how the men will change in 2004 but how you will adjust your own perspectives for the new year. If you're interested in a relationship with an exciting, new renaissance man, then you must focus on being the new renaissance woman. Exploring new ideas and new experiences is what the new year and dating, are all about. So to gear up for all the new possibilities for meeting and mingling with the men of 2004, here are some suggestions for your 2004 dating agenda:
Throw out all your pre-conceived beliefs
Toss those ideas about what your date should look like or do for a living, out with last year's peasant tops. Pre-conceived notions only limit your opportunities, and when it comes to dating, you want to go for expansion. Open yourself up to the chance that your Mr. Right might not be six-feet-tall and have a bank account the size of Russell Crowe's ego. But he just might have a fabulous body an a wit that makes you hysterical. You never know how your next date will happen and who he will be, so just stay open.
Change your routine
So you only drink your coffee at Starbuck's and do kick-boxing at the Y. Maybe all the cute guys get their coffee at Caribou and are hanging out at the local health club doing yoga. The point is that changing your routine might introduce you to a whole new world of people and experiences.
"I used to only go to my neighborhood grocery store for years," says Colleen, a 27-year-old flight attendant. "It wasn't because I loved it or anything, it was just convenient and it never occurred to me to try any other place. One day, they ran out of my brand of wheat bread so I went to a health food store a couple of miles away. They had the bread and I met several informed, vegetarian guys that shop there all the time. I've since gone vegetarian and have a whole new group of friends. That one little adjustment in my routine helped redirect the course of my life."
Become more aware of the people and things around you
It's easy to get caught up in a rushed schedule of work, family and friends. Maybe you've noticed the man who sells you a newspaper from his news stand ,or that empty house on your block, but that's about all. Perhaps the news stand man has a fascinating life story, as well a handsome and available son. Maybe that old house is being turned into a community center. Take the time to get to know the people around you as well as your surroundings, making these connections will attract even more people into your life.
Do something that challenges you
Getting into a predictable rut sucks the spirit out of your life. Even if it's just taking on an unfamiliar project at work, performing tasks that make us expand our knowledge stimulates us — and the excitement you feel will translate to everyone you meet.
"I decided to learn origami to keep my fingers and wrists flexible when I developed carpal tunal syndrome," says Tracy, an energetic, 25-year-old actuary. "It was very difficult for me to catch on but once I did, I was really proud of my accomplishment. I was telling a friend about what I had learned, and this guy asked me out after listening to me talk about my origami class. He said that he was impressed by my determination and wanted to get to know me better."
Focus on all the wonderful things you have to offer
Instead of being so concerned about what qualities guys will have in 2004, concentrate and develop all of the amazing things that make up who you are. Caring and compassionate? Start doing some volunteer work. Have a beautiful voice? Pamper it with honey concoctions and use it for its greatest effect whenever you meet someone new. Just remember, you have a great influence on the quality of the men that you meet, make sure you're at your highest level personally and the men of 2004 will follow suit.
