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The practice of New Year's resolutions is almost as ancient as civilization itself, first celebrated by the Babylonians in Mesopotamia (now Iraq, parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iran) almost 4,000 years ago. They made promises to the gods during a twelve-day celebration called Akitu and if they kept their word, the Babylonians believed the gods would reward them for their efforts. Although the Babylonians are believed to be the earliest peoples to do this, similar celebrations occurred across cultures with religion being the main motivator.
Through the centuries, the meaning of the celebration of New Year’s has remained the same, emphasizing renewal and self-reflection. Despite this, most struggle to keep their resolutions, one poll citing a whopping 9% of adults surveyed actually keeping their resolutions. Many of these resolutions are regarding health, money, and family, often with beneficial outcomes. So why do so few keep them?
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Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)Reasons For Failure
1. Unrealistic Expectations
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Setting goals which are unattainable is not uncommon for many people. Maybe, like me, you know someone else who can study for hours on end uninterrupted and ace their tests. So, like me you try to implement the same thing.
But it just isn't feasible to go from two hours of studying to four hours like that. It is the same idea as quitting smoking or drinking cold turkey, only very strong-willed people can achieve these results.
2. Unspecific Goals
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Another issue is people not being specific about how and why they are trying to achieve their objectives. Statements like “I’m going to get stronger this year” or “I’m going to get my grades up” aren’t focused enough in order to get the job done. This is because you have no plan of action, like how are you going to get “stronger” what do you specifically mean by “stronger”, and that sort of thing. Without a plan, even small changes seem overwhelming.
3. Lack of Commitment
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We often use the new year as a way to turn over a new leaf, but few are very serious about their plans or resolutions. Setting goals can be difficult and if you aren’t willing to put in the effort then the resolutions remain, for lack of a better word, unresolved. Furthermore, resolutions don’t have to be set during the new year, it is also possible to set them throughout the year as you get inspired to better yourself.
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SMART Resolutions
SMART goals are often implemented in school settings, the first time I remember learning about them was in elementary school. The acronym SMART is a simple and useful way to explain the best way to implement goals which are attainable for the average person, even an elementary schooler.
1. Specific
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Being specific with your goals is very important in order to make them work. For example, I set a New Year’s resolution to get better at playing flute. But what does that mean?
What do I want to get better at and how will I do it and why should I do it? Once you’ve established these criteria, it is easier to come up with other parts of your goal.
2. Measurable
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Let’s say you want to get better at something like running or weightlifting, something that requires pushing yourself. How will you know whether or not you have gotten better, and how much better. If you want to gain more muscle in your shoulders, you may say that you are going to work up to 15 pound lateral raises, by this set date, etc. By having a measurable goal, this allows you to track how you’re doing, and gives you a number to work up to.
3. Achievable
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Your resolution should be focused on being reasonable, as in can you actually do it. If you are used to only spending 30 minutes studying for a class, it will be difficult to suddenly start studying for 2 hours instead. Plus, having small achievements can boost your ego and ensure that you don’t give up on your dream.
4. Relevant
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Does your goal or resolution fit in with your general lifestyle or personality. If you want to perfect a makeup technique but don’t wear makeup for example, then what’s the point? It is important not to spend energy on efforts which aren’t a priority or something you really care about.
5. Time-Bound
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Similar to the goal being measurable, there also needs to be a deadline for these goals. Without a timeline, the need for accountability and urgency isn’t really there and then it becomes not a priority.
The More the Merrier
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Personally I find it easier to accomplish personal plans by doing them with friends or family. If you want to get fit, maybe join a club or sport at school that suits you, find a dance group. If you want to get higher grades, go to tutoring with friends.
Want to stop being a screenager? Get your bestie to keep you accountable. Having other people with similar goals and who are close to you can make accomplishing or holding onto resolutions even better when you actually are successful.
Conclusion
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Millions of people all over the world celebrate New Year's as a time for renewal and for many an opportunity to improve oneself. When making resolutions, it it's important to keep in mind that your goals need to be realistic, important, and meaningful to you. If you make goals which are for others rather than yourself, it can be difficult to uphold them or even see their value. Even setting goals can be seen as an achievement itself because it shows that you care about yourself and want to make yourself a person you want to be.
