What’s in Resolutions? And How to Keep Them
Date: October 31, 2023
Resolution-setting is a tradition for many individuals around the world. Because people tend to be more reflective and introspective at the start of a new year, the first month of the year is considered a season of renewed hope and uncharted beginnings. (It may also be that at this time, Americans begin getting their Visa statements from holiday spending or feel the need to loosen their belts a few notches after Thanksgiving and Christmas delicacies.)
Whatever the case, January marks the launch of something new, a fresh start, and a clean slate. Moreover, a new year is not just another 365 days rolling off the calendar. But it is a symbolic “pause and re-set” moment to consider new directions, account for past mistakes, and, in general, alter one’s route.
Who Makes Resolutions?
Most college students understand the importance of creating new goals for personal enhancement and academic growth. Accordingly, 59 percent of young adults ages 18–34 make New Year’s resolutions.1 This makes young adults “the largest demographic setting goals,” says Inside Out Mastery, a self-actualizing blog. By contrast, only 38.5 percent of U.S. adults set New Year’s resolutions.1 Of these, “48 percent want to exercise more, making it the most popular New Year’s resolution.” Sadly, more than 23 percent of people quit the first week, while only 36 percent make it past the first month.1
Resolutions can be powerful tools to motivate and guide us to be better people. They help us create new habits and be better versions of ourselves. Moreover, resolutions allow us to take control of our lives and create positive change. By and large, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something.2
Perhaps this next year, your resolve is to decrease your waist size and lose 52 pounds in 52 weeks. Or you may want to cultivate gratefulness, such as by creating a gratitude entry every day. Or your sights are set on merely arriving at all your appointments earlier than later. Still, you might aspire to be far more-reaching and humanitarian, such as to fund underserved children. However, whether you’re making small or large changes, success requires more than just white-knuckling it.
Ways to Keep Resolutions
For resolution-keeping, Forbes offers this advice:
- Keep the big picture in mind—motivate yourself for everyday tasks based on your longer-term vision.3
- Link the new habit you want to build with a new practice. If you wish to update your timesheet regularly, do it while you’re already checking your morning emails.3
- Do a little bit every day. Take an incremental approach and keep motivation by keeping momentum.3
- Track your progress. Any tracking works, from an app to a paper calendar (think stickers). These provide more tangible evidence of your ongoing success.3
- Reward yourself. It’s always a good idea, as long as your reward doesn’t undermine your goal.3
All in all, effective resolutions generally require setting specific and achievable goals. They may also involve replacing a bad habit with a good one. Often, one can redirect one’s energy toward more positive activities. Moreover, one may more readily self-improve by having an accountability person, group, coach, or support person work alongside them.
Often, busy people view new resolutions as taking more time or as interruptions to their already booked schedules. However, new habits often increase one’s effectiveness overall. For instance, by committing to regular exercise, healthy eating, and good self-care practices, one may enhance their overall academic productivity.
Setting resolutions related to wellness can help one prioritize one’s physical and mental well-being. Likewise, by establishing academic resolutions, one is better positioned to make the most of their education. This may include goals in time management skills, enhancing study habits, seeking additional academic support, or aiming for specific grades in challenging courses.
In conclusion, January presents a unique time for college students to reflect on the year at large and set resolutions that propel personal and academic growth. Such resolutions often enable one to take control of one’s life.
Embrace the Fresh Start January Offers
Finally, did you know that only nine percent of people keep and succeed in their resolutions?1 Beat the odds. Increase the percentage. Set your goals and stick to them!~
Article Written by Cindy R. Chamberlin.
Citations
1^a, b, c, d Mick. “19 Mind-Blowing New Year’s Resolution Statistics (2023).” Insideout Mastery. November 15, 2022. (Accessed October 30, 2023.)
2 “Oxford Languages.” Oxford Languages, Oxford University Press, 2023. (Accessed October 30, 2023.)
3^a, b, c, d, e Ph.D., Tracy Brower. “5 Ways to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions Based New Research.” Forbes. January 5, 2022. (Accessed October 30, 2023.)
