It’s that time of year, the end of the year, when we think about making resolutions for the new year.
Annual surveys over the last few years show that only about one third or so of Americans have said they made one or more New Year’s resolutions.
According to these studies, of those who make a New Year's resolution, after one week 75% are still successful in keeping it. After two weeks, the number drops to 71%. After one month, the number drops again to 64%.
And after 6 months, 46% of people who make a resolution are still successful in keeping it. By the end of the year, fewer than ten percent will have achieved their resolutions.
The reasons for failure in these surveys among those who make resolutions include unrealistic goals, not keeping track of their progress and forgetting about their resolutions.
But despite these surveys and studies, psychologists will tell you it is a good idea to set goals for yourself. You don’t have to call them resolutions, and you don’t have to set those goals on New Year’s Day, you can do that anytime,
But the start of a new year, is a good time to reflect on our lives, where we are, where we want to be and think about what we would like to do better.
A new year does bring new hope and even if we aren’t able to achieve our resolutions through our action, a more hopeful attitude for the new year is a very good thing.
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images