Avast is full of dog lovers, and as such, we aspire to “ … be the person my dog thinks I am.” This inspirational quote, attributed to Victorian writer Mary Ann Evans (known as George Eliot, Silas Marner and Middlemarch), speaks to our best friends' unconditional love and acceptance.

As humans everywhere breathe a collective sigh of relief that 2016 is over, we look forward with hope and anticipation to 2017. To compile this New Year’s resolution list, I looked no further than the happy dogs of Avast for inspiration.

Learn something new

Stuck in a rut? If you resolve to learn something new – from trying a new recipe to learning a new language – you break out of your comfort zone, relieve boredom, and become more interesting to yourself and others.

Be active

The people more likely to keep this resolution have a buddy that they exercise with. It’s more fun doing it together, so you're more likely to stick to the activity with a pal, whether it’s going to the gym or walking around the neighborhood.

Make new friends

Another way to climb out of your rut is to meet new people.  Look for meet-ups in your area or strike up a conversation with someone you see everyday but haven't made an effort to know. Experts say that people with four or five close friends are the happiest.

Have fun every day

"Enjoy life" is actually one of Avast's top values. Juggling work and family can be stressful, so improve your life and your health by having fun. Laugh out loud, be silly; take a cue from the Avast dogs and let yourself enjoy the moment fully.

Be polite, and dress nicely

How you act and look says a lot about who you are. Using good manners makes it easier to connect with people and inspires trust. Looking good boosts your confidence, which makes you more open to others.

Be alert for new opportunities

Another rut-buster is becoming aware of the possibilities that introduce themselves every day. You can make choices that open up new connections and new adventures. Say “yes” to something you usually talk yourself out of.

Face up to challenges

Fear and insecurity can be barriers to a happy, fulfilling life. Resolve to control your fears by facing them instead of letting them beat you. Break challenges down into smaller bits to manage them effectively.

Go offline

Silence your phone, shut down your computer, and remove your earbuds. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors! Plan weekend trips, ride your bike to work, plant a garden, or just look up at the clouds – take a much-needed break from our always-on wired world.

Take some time for yourself

Everyone needs 'me' time, so schedule breaks for what you enjoy. These regular dates with yourself can rejuvenate you and give you energy for the other parts of your life.

Be responsible

Trust is the basis of responsibility: do what you promise to do and be reliable. At Avast, that’s our business. So we renew our resolve to provide you, your family, and friends powerful, fast, reliable security in 2017 by staying one step ahead of evolving cyber threats.

These images were taken at the Avast headquarters in Prague and used for a 2017 Avast Dogs calendar sold to employees before Christmas. Proceeds from the sale went to help two local animal shelters: Hope for Four Paws and Dog Shelter Marsovice.