Beech Tree News Network

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I used to make them, but found that by March the resolution had been forgotten; so, I quit making them. Many people have more fortitude than I have, and their resolutions make a difference in their lives.

A New Year’s resolution is usually a commitment an individual makes to one or more goals, projects, or a change of habit that a person desires to accomplish in the coming year. The resolution is generally an effort to improve in some way. Examples of resolutions might be to quit smoking, to lose weight, or to pay off a debt.

Author Laura Vanderkam explained three ways to keep New Year’s resolutions (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57345023/3-secrets-to-keeping-new...). Vanderkam suggested that a person focus on one major resolution at a time. She explained that one goal at a time is much better than trying to make too many changes and failing. She also encouraged that a person develop a specific, positive plan to accomplish the goal or resolution. For example, if a person wanted to lose weight, he might choose a specific diet plan to follow. Finally, Vanderkam advised that a person chart progress toward their goal. Simply seeing our progress is rewarding.

Some New Year’s resolutions that are popular year after year include the following: drink less alcohol; 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; and volunteer to help others.

I contacted 20 friends and family about their New Year’s resolutions. First, I asked them whether they made a New Year’s resolution. Then if they did make resolutions, I asked whether their resolution(s) could be classified as (1) health improvement, (2) change of personal habit, (3) commitment to a goal or project, or (4) none of these. Only two don’t make resolutions. The other 18 do: they made a total of 24 resolutions. The resolutions fall into the following areas:

• Health improvement: 11 (46 %)
• Change of personal habit: 5 (21 %)
• Commitment to a goal or project: 8 (33%)
• None of these: 0

I am encouraged that 90 percent of those I asked are planning a more positive lifestyle. I am cheering for these people, and if you made a resolution, I hope you can keep it, too.

Someone once said, “A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.” But, since New Year’s resolutions are about change, I choose to believe that these people’s resolutions will become life changes.