As we put the holidays behind us and dig out from underneath all of the wrapping paper (or snow! or both), many of us turn to the upcoming New Year’s celebration to engage in a ritual that any visiting alien might be puzzled by — …
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This is a very interesting article. I also have put some thought into how to best make and keep resolutions – and I’m proud to say that I kept some big ones in 2008.
Now I’m looking forward to doing more of the same in ’09.
For my tips on New Years Resolutions, visit http://www.ourstressfullives.com/new-years-resolutions.html
Happy New Year,
Jill R.
Thanks for the great tips for staying track on this year’s new years resolutions. I read in a great book titled, “Truth Heals,” by Deborah King that a lot of people do/do not do things due to their deep rooted problems ( emotions
). This book was an excellent book in that it helps people identify what’s wrong with them and then teaches them how to fix it. I found it to be more than a self-help book, it’s a how-to book. Maybe these emotions are also causing people to not keep their new years resolutions.
A great article!
There are a few more things that have proven to significantly increase the chances of keeping your (New Year’s) resolutions.
First, make it public. The more friends (or enemies) know you want to quit smoking or get a new job, the better. Peer pressure can be a good thing.
Secondly it helps to have a financial incentive. If you know you will lose a hundred dollars when you light that cigarette, will you still do it?
And then there are no-brainers like the need to be specific and have a definite date in mind.
Myself and a few friends took all of the above and created http://www.pledgehammer.com on our free time. Not only does it help to make and keep resolutions, it also helps charities raise more money via donations. Would be great to get more people to try it out and hear your feedback.
Sounds like a cool app Andrus. I’ve actually been using a free app by thecarrot.com. It’s nice because it works on my iphone too. I absolutely hate the boring keeping track of the food I eat and my daily exercise, but thecarrot app lets me record lots of other stuff as I do it. I really think it will help me keep my New Year’s resolutions and other goals. I can actually tell you what I ate last Monday for lunch (tuna on rye
).
I find this ritual an odd one as well. Why wait until a new year to make significant changes? If something needs fixing, fix it.
We went from 5 pets to no pets and a baby boy in 9 months. From big houses (for the pets) to an inexpensive apartment. From two car payments, to no car payments (still with two cars). From $50k in debt to 100% the other direction in a year. Change can happen, and only you can make it so.
Look at it as reflection and direction. It feels a lot more sustainable that way
Enjoy.
Great article.
I for one am an advocate of planning out my new years resolution far in advance of new year. I create a very specific objective, write it down and then work out what I need to do to achieve it. Once I have done that, I then work out what needs to be done to be successful. I write that down and map out a plan. I find it very helpful and pretty useful.
Thanks for the great advice though.
How does one subscribe, I love the quotes. Also none of the links to articles worked.
I tend to think a little harder about resolutions at New Year’s but, in truth, since I backslide all too frequently, I am making my resolutions anew almost every day. I notice people suggesting related reading in their comments and I wanted to mention a little book I am reading right now which uses the same basic philosophy as the one discussed in the article, but provides a little more depth. It is “This Year I Will…:How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, Or make a Dream Come True,” by M. J. Ryan.
Hi,
it really nice article, touching the real aspect of life which people do face in making and keepig resolution.
i try to implement the suggestion .
And now i belive i m able to achived my goals.
See u at 2010 (Result)
I noticed the research you cited was more than 10 years old. Feel free to take a look at our most recent study on New Year’s Resolutions.
We conduct a new study each year. In Dec 2008, people from 47 countries participated.
The results are here:
http://goalguru.com/resolutionroadmap/
Live Your Dreams,
Jill Koenig