I am willing to bet the most common resolution is to either lose weight or get in better shape. Sure you could do a Google search to find a good diet, but is that really connecting you to the right people or places? What about looking to your Facebook friends or starting (or join) a group to keep the motivation of the resolution going? A mobile phone app maybe? Not any one particular destination is the solution for everyone, it’s really about finding what’s right for you. But, social media can definitely lend a helping hand.

Looking for more quality time with the family or friends? Be it looking for Girls/Guys weekend get away to finding what to cook for dinner with little-to-no time? Social Media to the rescue. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune went into some detail on how social media shifts the way we travel and Mashable reported back in July 15 of the top social media sites for foodies, which includes everything from where to find local farm fresh fare to user submitted recipes.  You can even visit a directory site like The Mom Blogs or Blog Catalog to find the right blog for you and your family.

Trying to save some money? Yeah, social media’s got that too.

Not quite sure what you want to resolve? Take a look at what other people’s resolutions are at 43 things. It’s a great place to set up goals or wishes year-round and to connect with people who have similar aspirations. Once you meet the criteria you’ve set forth in your resolution, you can also provide tips and tricks on how to achieve it to help make it easier for others to complete their efforts.

There are plenty of other resolutions out there that I haven’t touched upon. Suffice it to say that there’s likely a way social media can help you out.  If your resolution happens to be figuring your way into  social media, jump into the pool already, the water is warm and we’re waiting for you.

Earlier this month, I noticed IKEA products featured in the “Daily Style” section once, then twice, then again, and again, and again, and…again.  Furthermore, one of Heather’s recent blog posts features her daughter’s newly furnished room, with photos that look like they were ripped straight from the IKEA catalogue.

IKEA is either extremely lucky to be featured on the top-ranked “mommy blog,” or these features were coordinated by a public relations professional.  This reminds me of Chris Brogan’s “sponsored” Kmart post on Dad-O-Matic.  Chris Brogan was given a $500 Kmart gift card and then blogged about it.  Makes me wonder – did Dooce get some kind of monetary compensation for featuring IKEA?  Did she get a shopping spree in exchange for posting about IKEA a few times?  Maybe, maybe not.

If the IKEA explosion on Dooce was indeed compensated in some way, I actually think it’s great.  IKEA naturally fits in with the content on Dooce – all of her IKEA posts are seamlessly integrated.  They make sense.  IKEA is exactly something that is very “Heather,” and as a longtime reader, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was just obsessed with IKEA and therefore posted seven times about it. Heather isn’t a mommy blogger who endlessly posts reviews and contests – she’s incredibly picky with her content, and very rarely is there something that is obviously pitched by a PR professional.  Anything pitched to Heather absolutely has to be the perfect fit – which you would only know by being very familiar with Heather, her site, and her sense of style.  So maybe the IKEA features were pitched for or paid for – but maybe IKEA is just “lyckas” (that’s IKEA-speak for “lucky”).