Are New Year’s Resolutions beneficial?
By: Kristen Ferrara
Want to hear my New Year’s resolution for 2016? This year, with hard work and dedication, I will not make a New Year’s resolution! Such a strenuous effort, I know. I’m avoiding the act because making a decision at the same time as the entire western hemisphere is too mainstream and basic to satisfy my style. But even if you don’t care about being individualistic, you should not create a New Year’s resolution for the following reasons.
A FranklinCovey Survey taken in 2008 claims, “35 percent of respondents break their New Year's resolutions by the end of January and only 23 percent of those surveyed don't ever break them.” Let me rephrase: over ⅓ of the resolutions have failed by the end of January and ¾ are obsolete soon after. Clearly New Year’s resolutions don’t work. Why are they so ineffective?
Unrealistic goals are set. “I’m going to stop smoking this year.” Nicotine is addictive, and this type of habit cannot just be broken with one declaration of abstinence. “I’m going to lose 50 pounds.” If this weight loss is conducted through fad diets and shortcuts, the weight will most likely come back. Adopting healthy eating and exercise habits is the only effective means to this end, but these actions are often not considered with a rash decision. “I will save money and spend responsibly this year.” Chance are, if you’re at a point where you need to make this decision, you are already spending irresponsibly and are a) about face the consequences, or b) in a financial mess. A switch from spending liberally to spending conservatively is not only a habit alteration but a mental transformation. One goes from a “want” mindset to a “need” mindset which is ineffective as most people do not wish to live with this sort of outlook on life.
Most resolutions are made half-heartedly, likely for the reason mentioned above. Does one really wish to stop smoking? Do inconveniences, health issues, and social condemnation outweigh the joy lighting a cigarette brings or the stimulation felt during the process? They should, but for many, momentary pleasure is more valuable than long-term results. The smoker will continue smoking because he enjoys smoking. The same is true for those attempting to lose weight. Is a killer body more appealing than that double chocolate cookie with icing on top? In the moment, absolutely not. Is paying all the bills on time more attractive than a brand new car? Bottom line: although there is some desire behind New Year’s resolutions, most of them call for giving up or changing something you may enjoy in the status quo. Are you fully motivated when the choice you are making forces you to stop doing something you may love or have done for a long time? The answer in “no” for most people, resulting in half-hearted decisions and efforts.
If you truly want to change something in your life, make a decision and take progressive action. Waiting until New Year’s to alter your lifestyle with unrealistic, half-hearted goals, like the entire western hemisphere, is a waste of time. That’s why more people should adopt my New Year’s resolution.
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