New Year is an occasion for change

New Year’s Resolutions are commitments to make changes we feel will improve our lives. We might try to lose weight, quit smoking, exercise, show more patience, live with a budget, clean the garage, start a hobby, open that college account, etc. No matter the resolution, Wikipedia claims only 12% actually achieve their goals.

Why do we make New Year’s Resolutions? Eighty-eight percent of the people fail and probably feel disappointed, frustrated, defeated, stupid, disgusted, or any other combination of negative feelings. That sounds like self-punishment or masochistic behavior. Still, Americans continue to start January 1^st with New Year’s resolutions.

My vote is YES for New Year’s Resolutions. Why? They help us look back and ask the important questions concerning what we want/need to change. Even if we start and fail, we have not lost the acknowledgement that we want change. We have only lost the momentum and determination. We still have the desire for improvement.

After this holiday season, if you are stressing about money and your house is over-flowing with all the Christmas gifts, what would be better than to write down your New Year’s Resolutions? Set a budget, talk to the family about how to stay within the budget. Let everyone have some ownership in recovering from the extravagance.  After all, everyone reaped the benefits; it is okay for everyone to cut back. Plan a garage sale or a trip to your favorite charity. Have everyone clean up their own space and give away excess. So what if it only lasts a few days. In those few days there are many lessons learned and a priority has been established.

Without the year end and the hopes of a new year, we might go year to year and never have a universal occasion that promotes change and encourages improvement. So make your New Year’s Resolutions with enthusiasm on January 1^st. The odds are slim that you will maintain the momentum, so do as much as you can as early as possible. Pat yourself on the back for what changes you make and know you have a plan in place for when your motivation gets a new burst of energy.

Happy New Year!

Until the next time: Live while you live