When the very first ball dropped in Times Square to usher in the New Year on December 31, 1904, the city of New York was on the precipice of profound change. The first subway line had just opened and the Crossroads of the World became a bustling and innovative centerpiece to a city that would continue to capture the imagination of millions for many years to come. In the square, they held a party to end all parties with fireworks and dancing and drunken revelries, I’m sure. No one knew what was about to happen, but the chime of the clock at twelve and the dropping of the ball assured them that whatever it was, it would be good. It was a new beginning, after all and full of fresh possibilities.
Every year brings new things; that’s certain, and this year will be no different. Things will change, as things tend to do… but the feeling will be the same. There’s something about the end of the year, that concrete date, a deadline, that kicks us back into focus. It will be a new beginning and everyone around the world will be making resolutions. Some will resolve to work out more, others to spend more time with their families, to read more books, learn how to cook, or maybe to spend less time on their phones. Whatever the case, many of these resolutions and goals won’t come to fruition, because like every year, the hope and stamina and motivation you feel when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve fades and is replaced by bargaining (“I’ll just do it next year”), the monotony of routine, and the drudge and toil of daily life. Habits, it turns out, are really tough to break.
Only about 8% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions, according to research done by the University of Scranton. Is it because they’re better people with more willpower? Maybe. But I doubt it’s that simple. The key, I think, is in keeping that initial motivation you feel on New Year’s Eve all year round.
Our New Year’s goals are often very lofty, long term goals. Yes, the big goals are important, but it’s the little daily victories that keep us going. Setting realistically achievable goals, for instance, that have a short term deadline may keep that motivation going. For example, instead of saying, “I’m going to read 20 books by the end of the year,” you might attempt a smaller, more concrete goal: “I plan to read 2 books by the end of this month.” Then, when that goal is met, you should congratulate yourself and use the energy from that little achievement to renew the goal, or set a new one.
Keep reminding yourself why you wanted to achieve this goal in the first place, whether it’s to be a better person, be healthier, or just to get more out of life. Motivation, like they say in the crime shows, is the reason behind an action rather than just the action itself, and that, therefore, is everything to do with willpower.
The new year is a new beginning, yes, but it is important to remember it isn’t the last one you’ll get. Every day provides a fresh landscape for self realization. So, set your goals, make them clear, and take action every moment you can.
Here’s to wishing 2017 is a year full of resolutions kept and goals met!
