New Year's Resolutions - why I don't make them

[jeffrey]

I refuse to get suckered into a yearly game that gives the impression that it will help, but actually does you more harm than good. This is especially true with financial resolutions. Let me explain the ways:

1. New Year’s Resolutions are nothing more than a delay tactic — they are an easy way to delay something that you know you should be doing right now.

2. New Year’s Resolutions provide an easy cop-out if you don't follow through because nobody believes you will in the first place.New Year resolutions are made to be broken.

3. New Year's Resolutions are made without the proper preparation needed to succeed. Without the proper planning and research in place, they are bound to fail.

4. New Year’s Resolutions are often unrealistic because they are so broad. To succeed, you need to take one step at a time, not imagine that you will land on the top of the mountain in a single step.

5. New Years Resolutions tend to be absolute with little to no room for the obstacles. Life comes with setbacks, but resolutions usually aren't accommodating to these realities.

6. New Year’s Resolutions are made for the wrong reasons. For many, resolutions are nothing more than things they wished they could change without having to make any effort.

7. January is a terrible time to start your New Year’s Resolutions. You’re tired after the holidays and instead of resting, you make drastic changes when you may not have the physical or psychological energy to make them work.

8. People make too many of New Year’s Resolutions all at the same time. Achieving the goal of getting your finances in order is a monumental task in itself, but making it work while losing 20 pounds, exercising an extra 2 hours a day, reorganizing your house and quiting smoking makes success impossible.

9. New Year's Resolutions have a negative impact on your motivation and success. If you fail at them year after year, they appear to be impossible and you can start believing it.

10. New Year’s Resolutions simply don’t work. Setting reasonable, specific goals with a defined timeline does.

[maat55]

I will agree for the most part. But mainly because most people are not disciplined enough to succeed at anytime. Those who are, it doesn't matter when they choose to start.

[kork13]

Totally agree. Forget "resolutions".... if you're gonna do something, just get up and do it. wanna-be's are bothersome....

[MoneyTrev]

I actually support making new year resolutions. Make a realistic goal and reach it! It gives me something to aim for for the 365 days in the year.

For example, once I wanted to be able to shoot with my left in basketball, the September of that year, I was blessed by a coach that pushed me to learn how to shoot with my left!

If you have watched "The Secret" and want to try it out, making goals is important.

[kork13]

I actually support making new year resolutions. Make a realistic goal and reach it! It gives me something to aim for for the 365 days in the year.

For example, once I wanted to be able to shoot with my left in basketball, the September of that year, I was blessed by a coach that pushed me to learn how to shoot with my left!

If you have watched "The Secret" and want to try it out, making goals is important.

I completely agree with you... making goals is very important.... they challenge and motivate you to achieve something. If I expressed anything counter to this, I'm sorry to have misled you.

I only contend that if you're going to do something, start working for the goal immediately rather than formulating some lofty accomplishment goal and calling it a new year's resolution, which you magically start working towards after the ball drops in Times Square. The one way, you're motivated by the goal itself; the other, you're motivated by the fact that it's your resolution. The former is much stronger than the latter, which is why a huge majority of people let their resolutions fall by the wayside.

[MonkeyMama]

Making goals is important. I've always made and met rather lofty goals in my life. I have NEVER made NEw YEar's resolutions. They just bug me. Like why would you put off your goals until January 1?? Sieze the day - waiting until next year is just procrastinating. (I guess the other thing that bugs me is so few people stick to resolutions anyway. I hate going to the gym in January. It is PACKED. Then it dwindles down again the rest of the year).

[maat55]

I think any successful resolution needs a fire in the belly. Usually, delaying the objective will allow the fire to subside, few though can rekindle the flame at will.

[kork13]

I think any successful resolution needs a fire in the belly. Usually, delaying the objective will allow the fire to subside, few though can rekindle the flame at will.

That's so true... Right now, I'm somehow getting all of my "regular" goals/hobbies/interests/etc. (the ones that come and go with time) "rekindled" as you say... it's great, but i'm at the point right now that I have to either start doing them again or I know in a month or two it'll be back to relative apathy towards them until next time. haha

[segmond]

i made a new year resolution many years ago never to make another new year resolution and i have kept it since then.

[cptacek]

I made a new year's resolution one year to go to church every Sunday, and I did it for three years without missing. Then, I had one darn hangover and I felt soooooo mad at myself.

[Johansen8]

I can't even keep them up in a week.

[Pitman]

I do agree that most people make resolutions just to say they are planning on doing something without actually making any effort in completing that goal. But I won't shoot down their resolutions when they tell me every year.

I don't necessarily make resolutions, but I do have goals that carry-over to the next year. I planned on having an X amount in my savings account by the end of 07, but I'm a couple thousand short, so I told myself atleast next make that amount and more.