Are New Year’s resolutions worth making?

By Sheree Hoddinett  

It’s hard to believe Christmas is over once again. Just like it crept up on us at high speed, it was over just as quickly (no doubt, it’ll be back again before we know it!) and now it’s time to focus on the year ahead. Are you the type of person who likes to set positive goals in the form of New Year’s resolutions? 

Lose a few kilos and exercise more. Eat less junk food. Buy a new house. Change jobs. Quit smoking. Spend less money. When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, the list is vast. For many, resolutions can provide a fresh start – a new year means a new you. Creating a New Year's resolution is a great way to kick off the new year, almost like hitting the ‘reset’ button. You get to set new goals, or revisit old ones and determine how you want to tackle them. 

Chances are if you set yourself a resolution or 10, you have probably given up on the idea already. It begs the question, why aren't we more successful at keeping our New Year's resolutions? Some reasons include the idea that we're thinking too big, we're not considering the real reason 'why' behind them and the fact that we may not be ready for change – all part of the fun of being human. 

What is the psychology behind New Year's resolutions? The drive for making resolutions is motivated by this punctuation in time. It activates an ideal of expectations for what we hope to achieve going forward. With a new year comes a sense of renewal. The idea that makes us think about what we want to improve or change. 

How do you go about setting your New Year’s resolutions? Think about what it is you really want to achieve? What do you want to end the year feeling proud of? If you’re guilty of setting resolutions that you don’t stick to, making promises to yourself that you forget about all too quickly, here are some reasons why setting them and keeping them are so important! You can remember them when you feel like giving in and it will likely happen sooner than you think.  

• It will help you become who you want to be. Do you want to be the person who can sign up for a marathon, go out to complete it and smile as you cross the finish line? Then it’s important that you set yourself a New Year’s resolution to help you become that person. Setting yourself a resolution is a good way to help you reflect on what’s important to you, clear your mind and focus on who you want to become. 

• It can provide you with some stability. We don’t always know what our plans are for next weekend, let alone what they could be five, 10 or even 20 years’ time. Yet actually having some idea of where you want to be can help you make the right decisions in life. Make a New Year’s resolution for the year ahead, even if it’s just a small one and use it to help guide you along the right path when you’re struggling to make a decision. 

• It can drive you. Start out with a small goal that’s achievable. Think along the lines of going for a short walk a few times a week or not drinking on a weekday for a month. Starting small and working towards a bigger goal could be just what you need to make it happen!  

If you don’t like the idea of New Year’s resolutions, I don’t blame you, they aren’t for everyone. But if you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, why not give it a shot?! If all else fails, you’ll still be you anyway!  

What will your New Year’s resolution be?