We are naturally drawn to the idea of setting resolutions and intentions at the start of a new year. Whether you view this as social conditioning or simply a cultural norm, it is undeniable that many of us share a collective awareness of what we did or did not accomplish in the past year. This shared sense often sparks a desire to reflect on what we would like to change, achieve, or create in the year ahead.
There is 4,000 years of historical tradition of New Year’s resolutions. The Farmer’s Almanac writes an interesting article of this history.
So, how is your resolution going so far? Does this question excite you, or aggravate you?
Did you make a resolution to get healthier this year and rush to join a local gym? If so, you have probably noticed that many others have the same idea. Your news feeds are flooded with gym membership deals and online fitness challenges targeting those eager to lose weight. You might wonder; how do these companies predict my resolutions?
There is no secret behind this marketing tactic. As humans, we are creatures of habit, and year after year, we tend to follow similar patterns when it comes to our New Year’s resolutions. The most common resolutions focus on:
- Saving or earning more money
- Improving our happiness
- Physical health and wellness
- Improving our diet
So, why do so many resolutions fail? If we are creatures of habit when it comes to setting resolutions, why do we struggle so much with following through on them? It is only January, yet here we are already talking about failure in the new year. In fact, about 88% of people who set New Year’s resolutions will have given up by the end of the month, according to Baylor College of Medicine.
Most explanations for reasons resolutions fail point to our struggle with making big changes long-term, lack of commitment, and the unrealistic nature of some resolutions.
An alternative approach to New Year’s resolutions might be to skip them altogether. Dean of Social Sciences, Dr Thomas MacCarty, at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), does not recommend making New Year’s resolutions. He believes setting lofty resolutions can have psychological harm when those major changes do not come to fruition. An alternative can be SMART goals instead of resolutions. These are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely goals. You can also boost your accountability by sharing your SMART goals with friends and family. Another good practice is to set SMART goals earlier in the year, rather than waiting until the end. By shifting the tradition of “making a fresh start” we can focus on personal growth and improvement throughout the entire year.
Using these alternatives to resolutions could serve us better in succeeding with our tangible SMART goals and building upon our successes. This approach seems more encouraging and rewarding.
So, how are your SMART goals going so far? Does this question excite and motivate you?
Happy New Year!
Written By: Sofia Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Champaign County
Reviewed By: Shannon Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Fairfield County
Sources
Barnes, T. (2024b, January 11). New Year’s resolutions: Why do we give up on them so quickly? Baylor College of Medicine. https://www.bcm.edu/news/new-years-resolutions-why-do-we-give-up-on-them-so-quickly
What are New Year’s resolutions and do they work? (2025, January 2). Southern New Hampshire University. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/community/what-are-new-years-resolutions-and-do-they-work
What are SMART goals: examples for students and work. (2023, January 17). Southern New Hampshire University. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/what-are-smart-goals
Read Full Post »
September 3, 2025
Healthy Living | Live Healthy Live Well
maximios Blog
We are naturally drawn to the idea of setting resolutions and intentions at the start of a new year. Whether you view this as social conditioning or simply a cultural norm, it is undeniable that many of us share a collective awareness of what we did or did not accomplish in the past year. This shared sense often sparks a desire to reflect on what we would like to change, achieve, or create in the year ahead.
There is 4,000 years of historical tradition of New Year’s resolutions. The Farmer’s Almanac writes an interesting article of this history.
So, how is your resolution going so far? Does this question excite you, or aggravate you?
Did you make a resolution to get healthier this year and rush to join a local gym? If so, you have probably noticed that many others have the same idea. Your news feeds are flooded with gym membership deals and online fitness challenges targeting those eager to lose weight. You might wonder; how do these companies predict my resolutions?
There is no secret behind this marketing tactic. As humans, we are creatures of habit, and year after year, we tend to follow similar patterns when it comes to our New Year’s resolutions. The most common resolutions focus on:
So, why do so many resolutions fail? If we are creatures of habit when it comes to setting resolutions, why do we struggle so much with following through on them? It is only January, yet here we are already talking about failure in the new year. In fact, about 88% of people who set New Year’s resolutions will have given up by the end of the month, according to Baylor College of Medicine.
Most explanations for reasons resolutions fail point to our struggle with making big changes long-term, lack of commitment, and the unrealistic nature of some resolutions.
An alternative approach to New Year’s resolutions might be to skip them altogether. Dean of Social Sciences, Dr Thomas MacCarty, at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), does not recommend making New Year’s resolutions. He believes setting lofty resolutions can have psychological harm when those major changes do not come to fruition. An alternative can be SMART goals instead of resolutions. These are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely goals. You can also boost your accountability by sharing your SMART goals with friends and family. Another good practice is to set SMART goals earlier in the year, rather than waiting until the end. By shifting the tradition of “making a fresh start” we can focus on personal growth and improvement throughout the entire year.
Using these alternatives to resolutions could serve us better in succeeding with our tangible SMART goals and building upon our successes. This approach seems more encouraging and rewarding.
So, how are your SMART goals going so far? Does this question excite and motivate you?
Happy New Year!
Written By: Sofia Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Champaign County
Reviewed By: Shannon Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Fairfield County
Sources
Barnes, T. (2024b, January 11). New Year’s resolutions: Why do we give up on them so quickly? Baylor College of Medicine. https://www.bcm.edu/news/new-years-resolutions-why-do-we-give-up-on-them-so-quickly
What are New Year’s resolutions and do they work? (2025, January 2). Southern New Hampshire University. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/community/what-are-new-years-resolutions-and-do-they-work
What are SMART goals: examples for students and work. (2023, January 17). Southern New Hampshire University. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/education/what-are-smart-goals
Read Full Post »