A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year’s Day. Some examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible.There are religious parallels to this secular tradition. People may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility. 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. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.
Popular goals include resolutions to:Improve health: lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smokingImprove finances: get out of debt, save moneyImprove career: get a better jobImprove education: improve grades, get a better education, learn something new (such as a foreign language or music)Improve self: become more organized, reduce stress, be less grumpy, manage time, be more independentTake a tripQuit smokingVolunteer to help others
Popular goals include resolutions to:Improve health: lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smokingImprove finances: get out of debt, save moneyImprove career: get a better jobImprove education: improve grades, get a better education, learn something new (such as a foreign language or music)Improve self: become more organized, reduce stress, be less grumpy, manage time, be more independentTake a tripQuit smokingVolunteer to help others
Tradition dictates that every 365 days, you should try to kick bad habits and start your life anew. So sit down with a cup of coffee, a paper and a pen, and reflect: What kinds of New Years Resolutions will you make for yourself this January 1st?
Important:
1.Be realistic by setting achievable goals. Winning the lottery, for example, is out of your grasp.
2.Describe your resolutions in specific terms. Instead of “I don’t want to be lazy,” opt for “I want to exercise regularly” or “I will cut down on my television watching.”
3.Break down large goals into smaller ones. For instance, commit to losing weight by resolving to join a gym and improve your eating habits.
4.Find alternatives to a behavior that you want to change, and make this part of your resolution plan. So you want to quit smoking but you smoked to relax yourself? What other forms of relaxation are available to you?
5. Above all, aim for things that are truly important to you, not what you think you ought to do or what others expect of you.
Top 10 Frequent New Year’s Resolutions
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends -to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie, a simple gathering will do.
2.Fit in Fitness- Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape .
3.Tame the Bulge- Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Filipinos who made a New Year’s commitment to shed extra pounds.
4.Quit Smoking- If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!
5.Enjoy Life More-Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Filipinos, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years. It’s an important step to a happier and healthier you!
6.Quit Drinking- While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking.
7.Get Out of Debt- Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Filipinos who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It’s a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.
8. Learn Something New- Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year’s resolutions to keep.
9. Help Others- A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help.
10. Get Organized- On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.
