By TR Robertson
As 2024 draws to a close, the tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions will continue for most of us. This tradition is most common in the Western Hemisphere, but it can also be found in the Eastern Hemisphere. The tradition involves people resolving either to continue or end certain practices, change an undesired trait or improve their life in some way.
Statistically 35% of those that made resolutions admitted they had unrealistic goals, 33% said they did not keep track of their progress and 23% forgot about their goals after several weeks. In another study, 88% of those who set New Year’s Resolutions failed to keep their resolutions. It also showed 52% of those that made resolutions felt they were confident of success at the beginning of the year. This also showed that 46% of those that made resolutions that were easier to keep were likely to be successful.
In another study, the following cities were shown to have the most people successfully keeping their New Year’s Resolutions – #1 – Seattle, #2 – San Francisco, #3 – Scottsdale, #4 – Irvine, #5 – San Diego. These cities were shown to have the most people who did not achieve success in keeping their New Year’s Resolutions – #1 – Augusta, Ga., #2 – Jackson, Miss., #3 – Gulfport, Miss., #4 – Shreveport, La., Newark, N.J.
Historically, Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each new year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the medieval era, knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. At many watchnight services, Christians pray for the year ahead and many will include their personal resolutions in their prayers. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. Regardless of the culture or religious belief, the goal of New Year’s Resolutions is to reflect and seek self-improvement.
Listed below are the 15 hardest resolutions to keep, beginning with the hardest.
1. Resolutions about weight loss and dieting
2. Resolutions about healthy eating
3. Resolutions about going to the gym.
4. Resolutions that do not have a specific plan for success
5. Resolutions without clear outcomes
6. Resolutions that do not include social support
7. Resolutions resulting from social pressure
8. Resolutions about being happier (changing your mindset overnight is doomed)
9. Resolutions about being more organized (a lot more required to get to this point)
10. Resolutions where you must quit cold turkey
11. Resolutions without some immediate rewards
12. Resolutions without a strong perceived benefit
13. Resolutions about making more money or saving money
14. Resolutions you do not think you can achieve
15. Resolutions about things you do not really want to change
Regardless of what resolutions you make for 2025, make sure you make ones that are achievable for you and ones that will make a difference in your life.
Have a Great New Year and Let us Hope 2025 will be an AMAZING YEAR!
