With every new year comes the new hope that we might actually follow through with the ambitious resolutions we set for ourselves. Whether it's dropping the extra holiday weight or budgeting our finances more tightly, it often seems like these resolutions fall through as quickly as we think of them. The goals we have in mind are usually practical and attainable, so why is it that we give up so easily?

I think the best place to start in uncovering this mystery is the idea of resolutions itself. We identify some area of our lives that needs fixing, improving, and just overall change, and then devise a resolution to map out the journey ahead. The hope and aspiration for the new year are that we might right the wrongs of years past. We're resolving to do better, in whatever manner or fashion that looks like.

A new year means new chances, new opportunities, and new goals; plus, we have the WHOLE year. I think the entirety of the year is what often impedes us, though. It gives us the "Monday Diet" mentality. You know, the one that always "starts on Monday," but never actually does. With the start of the new year, we intend to tackle the demons in our lives head-on. When the day finally rolls around, however, no matter how sincere our intentions are, it just doesn't pan out. Or possibly, we start but quickly fizzle out.

I'd like to think that this problem boils down to one major thing: excuses. While I'm almost certain I'm not the first person to offer this idea, I think it's worth building upon. The whole reason we even make resolutions for the new year is that we allowed ourselves not to do them the year before. For whatever reason, we put off and put off what, at this point, seems so necessary and vital. If it's such an important and life-changing resolution, why didn't we begin it immediately?

Personally, I'm not a fan of waiting. I don't like the idea of wasting time when I don't have to. So I wonder, what would happen if we just acted upon our goals as soon as we thought of them? Most resolutions are things we could begin working on in any month, on any day, morning or night. The idea of recognizing a need, planning a resolution around it, then twiddling our thumbs till the year starts seems counterproductive.

I've felt like this for a considerable amount of time, and I remember when I first acted upon this idea. It was the November of my senior year of high school. I had always, always wanted to establish a consistent workout routine for myself and practice some willpower in cleaning up my diet. As this aspiration often goes, I found myself in a frequent start and stop routine all throughout high school. That November changed everything for me, though. By November 1, I decided to start my "resolution" of eating better and getting adequate exercise. I figured starting two months in advance might be an interesting experiment. Little did I know how much of a rewarding experiment it would actually be.

By January 1, I had dropped a few pounds and actually committed myself to a manageable workout plan. I felt proud of myself, and I also felt motivated. Starting two months early allowed me to establish good habits that I could take into the new year with me. Truthfully, I think those were the last two resolutions I made. However, they were worth it because I've kept them ever since.

Reflecting on my November resolutions, I think it's important to note that I don't think resolutions themselves are the problem. Identifying needs and setting goals to meet them is important. Resolving to improve is important. However, putting your resolutions on hold is THE problem. If you've thought about a change you want/need to make in your life beforehand, then the best time to attempt it is immediate.

Sure, sometimes we may set goals and still not achieve them all the way, or we may need to restart. That is okay, too. We won't always meet our expectations. We may face unforeseen roadblocks or setbacks. We may encounter bigger issues that need attention first. Any number of things could happen, but they don't necessarily have to spell the end of our once prized resolutions.

By pushing ourselves to go after our resolutions as soon as we recognize our own needs, we automatically give ourselves a better chance. I hope that whatever it is you resolved to do in 2018, you can keep doing in 2019. If it didn't last in 2018, I hope you can get the ball rolling again and move forward with it in 2019.