The tradition of making a resolution on New Year's Day and trying to stick with it for a whole year has been done for centuries.
A New Year's resolution is a commitment a person makes to one or more lasting personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. This goal must be reached by the next New Year.
While many people declare a New Year’s resolution or two, very few are actually successful in achieving their goals. A few steps to improve success were discussed by Dr. Oz on the Today Show, January 4, 2012.
- Write down your resolution and form it as a measurable goal. Instead of saying exercise more, be specific and say, go to the gym Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m.
- Share your goal. Tell friends, family members, and co-workers what your goal is so they can help support you in your efforts.
- Arrange your environment. If you want to eat less sugary food, remove the cookies and soda from your house!
- Track your progress. Keep a journal and write down the steps you take to reach your goal. It can be positive reinforcement and a way to reflect on what’s working and maybe what’s not working!
The US Government has numerous resources online to help people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Learn how to achieve some of the more popular goals.
www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New-Years-Resolutions.shtml
Some common resolutions:
- Drink Less Alcohol
- Eat Healthy Food
- Get a Better Education
- Get a Better Job
- Get Fit
- Lose Weight
- Manage Debt
- Manage Stress
- Quit Smoking
- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
- Save Money
- Take a Trip
- Volunteer to Help Others