The Value of New Year’s Resolutions
We have all done it. It is the end of December or the beginning of January (or even right before the ball drops on December 31) and we feel “the pull” to make one. A New Year’s resolution. But what is their value?
According to a study conducted by Forbes, the following are the top 2024 New Year resolutions.
Improve fitness
Improve finances
Improve mental health
Improve diet
Make more time for loved ones
Stop smoking
More time for hobbies
Improve work-life balance
Travel more
Meditate regularly
Drink less
Perform better at work
One other stat….40% of us forget the resolution in under 30 days.
But is there value in making a New Year’s resolution, even if it’s not completed? I have always answered “yes.”
For me, the answer to the above question derives from looking at it differently. Is there value in trying to improve yourself (at any time)? Is there value in knowing your weaknesses and working to overcome them? Is there value in taking time to reflect on your life, opportunities, and future? Is there value in having hope (assuming that nearly all resolutions are in some way positive if achieved)?
I would never argue that accomplishing a resolution is far better than just making one. I am not a fool. But somewhere along the way in life, I have realized you can’t achieve much if you don’t have a goal. Same thing as the adage of crawling before you walk, walking before you run, etc. And having goals is good for one’s health — mental health, physical health, and emotional health.
While I love aspiration, reasonableness is also key. I can set a goal to be President of the United States, but is that reasonable? We all have visions of grandeur, and while we should keep those somewhere as well, for a great New Year’s resolution, being able to reasonably attain it will always win the day.
I hope to achieve my resolutions. They are less and less in numbers each year, but more and more important. Simpler too. Here is hoping we all can find the right resolutions to dream about and achieve.
