What do you think of the tradition of making specific New Year's resolutions?

Question

Does that really work for you? Omg, I sound like Dr. Phil. Mea culpa.

On my end, I believe in setting achievable goals in all the important areas of my life, but I also think a person would set him- or herself up for failure with a resolution such as "I"m going to lose twenty pounds by April." Isn't it better to set a more doable broad-based goal, as in "This year I am going to take excellent care of myself--body, mind, and spirit," including in that being open to making sound, step-by-step changes re daily nutrition, exercise, health education, and spiritual practices? Just thinking..

What do you think, folks? Do you make resolutions? Do you set goals? Or do you just hope for the best and let things flow?

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in peace.

Answer 1

Happy New Year to you too! :-)

To me, I don't make New Year's Resolutions because I try to spread out my goals throughout the year. I don't just make a resolution once a year. I feel as though things come up in between time, and there is always room to grow, learn, experience, encounter, achieve, and make better of.

I feel as though making specific goals can sometimes set you up to fail, and then you feel disappointed, and feel as though it is impossible. Which in fact nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it, but once a year shouldn't be the only time to try to achieve certain goals in your life.

You can hope for the best, and go with the flow, but to conquer any type of goal, or dream, you have to make it happen yourself. It doesn't come to you. You have to go get it. Period. :-)

Happy New Year to everyone on Y/A! And to my Cyber friends. You know who you are. :-)

Answer 2

I don't do new year resolutions.... however I sometimes like to start a new years project...but that's coming from adding something new to my life, not crazy goals based on over indulgence at a really super emotional time of the year...If I am going to make adjustments, I generally go about that on a day by day basis, sometimes I win, sometimes I lose, sometimes I just get rained out.........
Happy new year... Cheers!

Answer 3

I set minor goals for myself, that when I achieve them I feel good.

It is like answers. Can I get to the next 100 today, or to that 1,000 that is nearly in sight.

Instead of saying I will give up smoking, I have said I will cut down. They are now in the other room and I have to get up to get one. When I am ensconced in my armchair I don't want to get up.
Hopefully when winter comes I will be even less inclined to get up.

Answer 4

I think I have been unsuccessful with any I ever made so this year I will not do anything specific, just general goals like you do and see how that works.

Answer 5

Most of the time,it doesn't work for me,but it's still good to set realistic goals for yourself,and you will build Confidence and Independence if you actually achieve them.

For me,in 2008,I'm gonna try to lose weight,exercise more often,grow my hair longer,stop swearing,stop biting my nails,develop my esp (if you believe in that kind of stuff),don't get any spyware on my computer this year because it cost too much money to get it off,and overall,just be better than i was in 2007.

Half of these goals i probably won't achieve,but i'll feel good about myself in 2009 knowing that i tried my best.

Answer 6

Years ago, I made a New Year's resolution to no longer make New Year's resolutions and I think it's the only one I've kept.

However, I periodically make "course adjustments" as I rethink where I'm going and how I'm getting there. I just think it's stupid to arbitrarily pick one day and say "this is the time I make course adjustments."

Of course, many cultures and religions have "special times" to reflect on our lives and what we're doign wit them. Think about the Jews and Rosh Hashanah (their New Year). It's a time of reflection. Lent is a 40 day period Catholics are supposed to use to try to become more pleasing to God and to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. Same with certain pagan celebrations being special times of reflection.

I don't need man to artificially create times when I'm "supposed" to reflect. I reflect when I feel that it's appropriate to reflect and I resolve to change things when I feel it's time to make changes.

You're right about it being silly to set very specific goals like "Lose 20 lbs. by April." Much better to say "I'll strive to eat more nutritionally balanced meals, meals that I prepare instead of buy in a package or restaurant, and to apply my wisdom to choosing a diet that is suited to my needs and useful for my purposes."

I'm not saying that we should quit eating out. Heck, no. But I think it's healthy to give actual thought to what we're going to make, make it ourselves and reflect on what it's doing for us than to mindlessly gulp down some fast food.

Answer 7

I totally agree with setting goals that can be achieved. Personally I don't make new Years resolutions anymore. I used to & found that I couldn't keep them.(maybe it's the rebel in me) Also when I'd fail them I'd get depressed, so now I try & go with the flow. When I see a change I need to make I try and go about it in a way that I will be successful. Which is usually slowly!haha! But hey baby steps! What ever works right?!