Hopes for the New Year

Every year about 45% of Americans make resolutions. In the end it's about 8% that actually complete that goal. So why do those initial 45% decide to make a resolution for the New Year at all? It might be because when you do make a resolution you are ten times more likely to make a change. It also might mean like for me that a new year presents a restart button. I always like to start over in video games. I don't think I've ever completed one. The possibility of starting over after you get stuck or bored where you're at - it's addictive. It's a new year which I see as a great restart button because you can make it your new start. I don't know if this is the greatest thinking. It is actually a good opportunity to take on something new but it kind of constricts you to start then. You know how you always say I'll start doing this next Monday? Oh now is not the right time next month will be better? And then you never start at all. We do the same thing with the New Year. We say that we will do something but never do it. So why start something at New Year's? Why not just start it next week or month or today? Those people who do complete their goal. They are hard workers. They are motivated. They get stuck but continue on. What's stopping the rest of us?

Resolutions don't change much each year. It's usually those who want to lose weight and quit smoking that we here most about on talk shows. But, I had no idea that people wanted to get organized (that actually makes a lot of sense) that much or fall in love. I'm sure lots of people want to fall in love but to actually make that a resolution was kind of weird to me (well not really). So how is it possible to complete your resolution? Well I think it's the plans or the lack of that is the foundation of our success. I've made a couple of resolutions over the years but I don't really remember them which most likely means I didn't complete them or actually tried them. I think those who are truly serious and do accomplish their goal however, small amount of people that do are really motivated and have a plan. I think most people that do make a resolution have some sort of plan that's in their minds but they never take steps to do it. The Happiness Project was based upon hours and hours of research. Now I don't think everyone would want to do that but is it possible that more people can accomplish their goals? Of course. Say your resolution is to lose weight. Well okay. How on earth are you going to do that? Do you have a schedule? Do you have a healthy cookbook to which to make recipes with? Do you have a chart or food journal? We may make resolutions but the action of it might never happen if we don't think about it. Most of us may be procrastinators but having a plan is another major issue of whether you will fail your goals or become a success.

I've been thinking a lot about what I want to say on this post and how I really should start making plans and schedules and whatnot. But do I really want to make resolutions so I can be disappointed in myself if I fail? But, you know what? What if I don't fail? I really do want to make some resolutions this year. I make them about books all the time and I'm pretty good at them. Reading is my greatest pastime so it doesn't requite too much effort though. Mostly I'm thinking of making the resolution countless other make - to get fit. I've already done some walking yesterday and I'm going to jog on the treadmill some today and do some other exercises too. I want to be able to run a 5k by mid March. There are some other resolutions I want to take on like being more organized, having less clutter, and doing some nagging tasks that I really need to get done. It's never a better time to start then now so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that I stick with it. I don't know how it will go but that all depends on me. I wonder if any of you bloggers out there have any resolutions. If you do I would love to read about them and how you plan to implement them. Also, if you've ever completed a resolution I would love to know how you were able to do it.