Every year I make New Year’s resolutions and of course they rarely come to fruition. This year I will again make some resolutions and this year, I will accomplish them as I am on track to make them work.
What is a New Year's resolution? It is a commitment that one makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day.
There are religious parallels to this secular tradition. People may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility. During Judaism's New Year, Rosh Hashanah hrough the High Holidays culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one's wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self improvement annually.
Popular goals include resolutions to:
Improve health: lose weight, exercise more, drink less alcohol, eat better
Improve finances such as get out of debt and save money
Improve career: get a better job
Improve self: become more organized, reduce stress, better time management, more independent
Take a trip
Quit smoking
Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set, such as, a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.
On Friday’s blog, New Year’s Eve, there will be more on New Year’s Resolutions including mine!
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9 comments:
I don't call them resolutions...but I do write down goals in all areas and love to look back to see if I accomplished them. I did pretty well this year and hope to finish my new 'list' this weekend!
Great post Annie.
I am thinking on mine.
I really like that one you listed on improve self: become more organized, reduce stress, better time mgt...
Very good post, Annie - I was thinking this year of writing my goals down, then writing how to achieve them and work it out so that its more of a "baby steps" program. I usually give up after only a couple of weeks, which is why I was thinking I need a new approach.
I really enjoyed this post.
My number one resolution is to get organized. I have decided to make this dream or goal a commitment to my husband and my favorite dog rescue group. It's easier to let a resolution slide if only for myself. If I were more organized, it would benefit them. Perhaps photos on my blog of my progress will help too.
I started smoking to get my husband to quit. So i guess i should stop since he is starting to cut down immensely (yay). He is not allowed to smoke in the house so that makes it easier!
Annie~ This is a great post! I've committed to making complete life changes and have started already! It feels wonderful and truly hope to be in that 10% who succeed! God Bless~
I'm gonna try to quit smoking this year.
This is a great post. Funny and true. I just don't remember last years goals...duh...but hopefully this year I will do better !
Food for thought. I'm in the process of writing some of this quarter's goals down -- I find it always helps to actually write them down instead of just thinking them. Thanks for the post!
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