As the new year approaches, the question arises: is it a good idea to make resolutions for it? Should we plan and make commitments to ourselves for the end of the year? Let’s discover together whether making resolutions for 2024 is really advantageous!
What does making end of year resolutions mean?
The term “resolution” generally refers to a personal goal or ambition to achieve as the new year approaches. Resolutions can take the form of a list of objectives and may include simple things like stopping eating unhealthy food or larger goals, like gaining important professional skills through an online course.
This practice has been around since the Romans and The Babylonians who made offerings to their gods to thank for past favors and to ask their gods for an even more prosperous year. More recently, resolutions have taken the form of promises we make to ourselves to make good changes in our life for the start of the next year. Resolutions can address different spheres of life, including work, finances, health and safety, physical and mental well-being.
However, it is important to remember that making resolutions should not be something imposed by a specific date; adopting good habits and making positive changes in your life can happen at any time of the year.
Why do people decide to make New Year’s resolutions?
Making resolutions for the new year can be a great way to take an annual stock-taking and give oneself a personal boost for the start of the coming year. Indeed, making resolutions can be psychologically and emotionally beneficial: it allows people to focus on their goals and express their ambitions. It can also help instill a sense of control in life, which can help reduce feelings of frustration and insecurity, and bring greater joy in daily life.
Even for those who are not interested in making resolutions, it’s always a good idea to perform an annual review – a regular evaluation helps you assess your life and gauge your progress over the year, which can be a great source of motivation and provide the necessary strength to take on new goals.
What are the potential drawbacks of making New Year’s resolutions?
If the psychological and emotional benefits mentioned above are indeed real, there are also drawbacks associated with making resolutions. The main concern is that the resolution-making is not well-planned enough – for example, if the goal is too ambitious or if the plan to achieve it is ineffective – this can result in additional pressure, leading to an increased sense of stress.
This can also result in excessive anxiety about one’s ability to achieve these ambitious goals, with the risk that this anxiety leads to the abandonment of these resolution projects. In the worst case, if a person consistently fails to meet their goals, it could lead to a growing feeling of dissatisfaction and/or a lack of motivation.
It would be a shame, full of good intentions, to burden oneself by starting with overly ambitious goals.
What are the best ways to achieve your resolution goals?
The first thing to do when making a resolution is to be realistic and modest. Perhaps not the most exciting approach, but certainly one of the most effective – for example, instead of promising to go to the gym after work and the weekend, try to set achievable goals, such as “doing 30 minutes of exercise a few days a week”. Similarly, avoid long-term goals that may take several months to achieve – recycling an object instead of buying a new one can be as well-regarded as starting a large-scale recycling cycle.
Next, when you have defined your goals, find tools to help you track your progress. Use checklists or a daily calendar – or even better, an application or a planner – to plan the accomplishment of the different parts of your project. And finally, keep things simple – start small and realistic – and maintain a positive attitude.
Is it a good idea to make resolutions for the end of the year?
If New Year’s resolutions are sometimes considered a good way to give the necessary boost to resume ambitious goals, it is just as important to recognize the risks and additional stress that can sometimes come with this practice. Furthermore, when making resolutions, it is essential not to plunge into the unknown and to opt for what seems to be a “quickly gratifying” solution. Instead, set achievable goals that you will be able to reach, no matter what your commitments are. Finally, maintain a positive attitude and optimism – only time will tell if resolutions are met, so don’t forget to celebrate and reward yourself for your perseverance!
In summary, making resolutions for the end of the year can be a very positive and beneficial way to get organized and give yourself a good dose of motivation to start the new year – however, it’s important not to engage lightly in this practice. When we decide to make resolutions, it’s best to adopt a strategic approach, with a concrete and realistic plan. In this way, it can be used both as a tool to set ambitious ambitions and to regain control of one’s goals.