The Trouble with New Year's Resolutions

I am writing this post on New Year's Eve.

Today, like every weekday morning for the past year or so, I went to the gym. There were maybe half a dozen people there working out. Maybe. This fact, in and of itself, isn't particularly remarkable. I was there early in the morning and it's the holidays. Many people are away or are in a vacationing frame of mind.

But here's the thing. On Monday January 3rd, things will be different. There will be lots and lots of people at the gym. I might even have to wait for one of 'my' machines. Perish the thought!

I can only guess that many of the people who will be joining me on Monday are the people who, tonight, are resolving to exercise more often. Sadly, I won't have to wait long for the gym to return to 'normal.' After the first week or so, most of the 'resolvers' will stop going to the gym. Maybe there will be a handful of people who stick with it for a month or so. And, just maybe, a few of them will become 'regulars.'

So, what's the problem with resolutions? Why do so many of them fail? Here are my top three reasons:

1. They are Made in Haste

For some, the New Year arrives quickly. Like your colleague's half-crazy spouse, it is not entirely welcome because it reminds people that another year has passed without self-change happening. Instead of taking an hour or so to reflect, though, some people pause maybe half a second before announcing, "I'm going to run the Boston marathon!" Yes, yes, I know. There are thousands of people who run that marathon. I know one of them and I know how hard that person trains. Remember, there are millions of people who don't run the marathon and certainly many who plan on doing who it but who never come close. Many hasty resolutions disappear in the wee hours of January 1st, methinks. Some might survive until January 10th.

2. They Are Too Ambitious

Please, please, be realistic. I know that the New Year looks like a blank slate with no mistakes on it. But, please, realize that you're the same person you were last year (which was just a few minutes ago). Think about what's realistic for you and plan accordingly. Remember the power of gradual and take it slowly.

3. They Are Made Half-Heartedly

How many of us, I wonder, make resolutions of one kind or another because somebody asks us, "So, what's your resolution?" Maybe you don't have a resolution this year. Maybe you haven't put any thought into it. That's okay. There's nothing wrong with not having a resolution. I don't have one for this year. Make a resolution when you want to, not when you're 'supposed' to.

To all of you who are making resolutions, of whatever quality, I say: Good for you! It takes a certain amount of courage to decide to change yourself for the better. Just like those folks at the gym represent the better of us, so do you. Those resolvers might not make it to next year, but, heck, they're trying. More important, now that you know about the pitfalls of New Year's resolutions, you can make a better one. Make a resolution after deliberation, in moderation, and with full resolve.

For more from yours truly, visit me at My Bad Habits. I am also on Twitter.