Do You Make New Year’s Resolutions?
Did you know that the top New Year’s resolution for most people in the U.S, year after year, is “lose weight?”
Some people make New Year’s resolutions, other laugh at them. If you search online, you can find lots of jokes about New Year’s resolutions. But I think there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making them.
Critics say they’re empty and useless – that most people make them, but never follow through, which ultimately makes them feel even worse than before.
I disagree. I think that New Year’s resolutions CAN be useless and often are. I also think that when New Year’s resolutions are done in a meaningful way, they can be a wonderful self-improvement tool.
To make New Year’s resolutions that stick, I usually try to make just one resolution each year, then break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks, and follow up every couple of months to see how I’m doing. So, if my goal is to complain less, I might start with “limit my nagging and complaining to no more than once a day,” then once I accomplish that goal, move on to the next of, say, whining just once a week! (My husband must be feeling hopeful right now).
Back to the most popular New Year’s resolution of losing weight. Of course people don’t stick with it! It’s far too vague. By breaking it down into smaller chunks and focusing on just this resolution instead of on five others, you stand a much better chance of accomplishing your goal.
You could start by specifying how much exactly you want to lose (2 pounds per month or 24 pounds in 2010); decide on specific monthly goals such as limiting your soda intake or taking the stairs at work. Whatever you do, by breaking it down and focusing on just this one goal, you’re seriously increasing your chances of making it a reality.
I’m not a self-development expert and usually stay away from self-help-type posts. But this is something that has worked for me over the past few years. I hope it will work for you too.
Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you keep them?
Comment of the Day: “I think the key to sticky resolutions is having a compelling ‘why’ and an effective ‘how’ to go along with the ‘what.’” J.D. Meier, Sources of Insight.
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Kim Woodbridge responds:
Posted: December 29th, 2009 at 10:52 am →
I glad you posted this – I’ve been thinking about this topic recently. I do not make New Years Resolutions. I think it’s too easy to put off something until January 1st that could be started before that. When I start something, like losing weight, I might pick a date that is meaningful to me, such as the 20th because I was born on the 20th, but I will usually just start.
You are so right, however, about being more specific and setting small goals. Saying I’m going to try to lose a pound a week is a real goal rather than simply saying “lose weight”.
Carla responds:
Posted: December 29th, 2009 at 10:56 am →
I usually make them and for the past fear years, I have usually kept them. You are so right, its all in the effort put into them, breaking the goals into smaller chunks. I tend to break my goals down into months, weeks and then days. I have lost weight and kept it off for over four to five years now, I have became more fit, started a business, moved out of state and so on based on those “useless resolutions”, LOL.
Dr. J responds:
Posted: December 29th, 2009 at 1:51 pm →
I really do not make New Years resolutions, although I like the way you suggest making them. I learned my lesson, years ago when I bought this great model airplane kit in a Moro Bay kite shop. The instructions are like a small phone book with very fine print! It’s still in the box, as my fall back resolution if I need one
If I need to make a change, I make the decision to do so as soon as I can. I suspect that the only real power with January 1 st. lies with the IRS
Davina responds:
Posted: December 29th, 2009 at 2:44 pm →
I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions anymore. For me personally, it became too dogmatic in the sense that “everyone was doing it” and I found it could become a make-work project when perhaps at that time, I was quite happy to not make any changes. There is something to be said for joining in a group effort, but sometimes I feel more empowered to not follow the crowd
I can see why people do it though, after taking inventory and reflecting back on their year; wanting to start the New Year off with some focus.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: December 29th, 2009 at 6:50 pm →
I guess it does make sense to simply make resolutions whenever one needs to instead of waiting for the end of the year. Although for some, the “official” date gives them exactly the push they need.
JanB responds:
Posted: December 29th, 2009 at 6:54 pm →
I always try to say, let’s make it better this year, do better on health, spending, budgeting, less bitching, more loving. More tolerance. Then I get all ticked off and end up in bed with a coke, chocolate and xanax and never even see the ball drop. But that’s just me.
Lori Hoeck responds:
Posted: December 29th, 2009 at 6:57 pm →
New Years is a time to start anew in my mind. Sure, I could say it’s a day like any other, but for me there’s something about a brand new year. It is a similar feeling to opening a new notebook and letting the writer in me dive into the moment of that fresh, empty, inviting page.
Usually I have a great start on resolutions, dreams, and goals until hayfever season hits — which is whenever the temps stop dropping below freezing. So for at least two and a half months, I do well.
Lawyer Mom responds:
Posted: December 29th, 2009 at 7:59 pm →
“To make New Year’s resolutions that stick, I usually try to make just one resolution each year, then break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks . . . ” I like this. A New Day’s resolution is a lot less daunting.
Hayden Tompkins responds:
Posted: December 30th, 2009 at 12:59 am →
Instead of choosing a New Year’s Resolution, I have been choosing a word – a theme for the year – instead. I chose “Discipline” for 2009, “Engage” for 2008, and I will be writing about my word for 2010 tomorrow.
It is a practice that helps me focus about consciously and mindfully living in the year.
Kelvin Kao responds:
Posted: December 30th, 2009 at 1:42 am →
I know I don’t keep new year resolutions so I am not going to make any. I do, however, have things that I’ve slated to start in January. Not necessarily because of the new year. I would’ve started them in December but I simply got too busy with deadlines trying to deliver stuff for clients by the end of the year.
But yes, I am definitely going to break stuff into smaller, more manageable goals.
Dominique responds:
Posted: December 30th, 2009 at 1:51 am →
I too try to set new year resolutions. This time around for 2010 I will definitely try to make it more specific like losing 10kg and being more healthy for 2010.
Heather Villa responds:
Posted: December 30th, 2009 at 3:15 am →
Resolutions are really goals if you think about it. We’re not afraid to set goals and then do what it takes to reach those goals. The word ‘resolutions’ seems to create a mental block and for most it’s easy to break or forget about it. I suggest setting New Year’s GOALS instead. It’s easier to ‘reach a goal’ then to ‘keep a resolution’. Great post!
Mindful Mimi responds:
Posted: December 30th, 2009 at 6:24 am →
Hi there,
I have quit making New Year’s resolutions. They simply don’t work for me.
I have now opted for the Word of the Year- and that works perfect for me.
Try it.
Mimi
Rita responds:
Posted: December 30th, 2009 at 8:19 am →
I have never made a New Year’s Resolution and I don’t intend to start now. Instead, I resolve to do begin doing things on the date when it becomes evident to me that something in my life needs to change. I agree wholeheartedly that breaking things down into small dosages is a better way to accomplish goals, whether they be to lose weight, quit smoking, quit drinking or any of the other “top New Year’s Resolutions” that I have heard many people make, only to fail by picking one day on the calendar in which to make radical changes in their lives. Change takes time – I don’t believe that it can happen overnight. To me, New Year’s Eve is a time to look backwards at the past year and try to put behind me the sorrows and shortcomings of the year before. It is a time of reflection, not planning.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: December 30th, 2009 at 11:46 am →
Lori, “there’s something about a brand new year” – I agree.
Hayden and Mimi, l like the concept of choosing a word.
Heather, I like using “goals” instead of the intimidating “resolutions.”
J.D. Meier responds:
Posted: December 30th, 2009 at 10:27 pm →
I think the key to sticky resolutions is having a compelling “why” and an effective “how” to go along with the “what.” If it’s not compelling, it won’t stick and if you don’t get results, it won’t stick.
I like your approach of chunking it down … quick, incremental progress is the way to go.
Starrlife responds:
Posted: January 1st, 2010 at 9:43 am →
I’m tooo tired to think about it! Just wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
Jannie Funster responds:
Posted: January 1st, 2010 at 11:24 pm →
I resolve to see what it is I need to set free in myself when I feel angry at others.
Dot responds:
Posted: January 3rd, 2010 at 5:09 pm →
I don’t make them any more. I used to be compulsive about New Year’s. I reviewed the past year carefully, made lists, and made new resolutions. They were soon forgotten. Now I just try to keep my goals in mind as I go along through the year.
Squawkfox responds:
Posted: January 3rd, 2010 at 5:58 pm →
I make the same resolution every year to better organize my finances. I’m pretty darn good at it now.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: January 4th, 2010 at 11:15 am →
Jannie, I love your New Year resolution.
Emsxiety responds:
Posted: January 6th, 2010 at 10:05 pm →
I actually made a resolution a few years ago to not make any more resolutions. That’s the one I finally stuck with.
Keith Davis responds:
Posted: January 8th, 2010 at 10:22 am →
Hi Vered
No I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions, but if I had made one this year it would be to thank people for taking the time to visit my blog and leave a comment.
Guess I don’t need a new year’s resolution for that… thanks Vered.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: January 8th, 2010 at 6:34 pm →
Hehe you’re welcome Keith.
What Do You Want to Do In This New Year? | Over Coffee... Let's Talk responds:
Posted: January 13th, 2010 at 4:46 pm →
[...] Grind says: To make New Year’s resolutions that stick, I usually try to make just one resolution each year, th… I like that [...]