There are two kinds of people — those who believe in new years resolutions and those who don’t. I’ve noticed that those who believe set a resolution and then never tend to stick around long enough to see it through. This makes me wonder, year after year, what does it truly mean to believe in making a new years resolution anyway? Throughout history, resolutions have evolved from giving to the gods to setting self improvement goals. I don't see anyone giving to the gods, but what l do notice are the packed gym parking lots only to empty up come the middle of February. Here’s why your resolutions never see it through.

You set a resolution.

The fact that you’re waiting for the new year to set a resolution seems like a problem in itself. Think about your friends that want to start a diet. They’ll order an item that strays from their dietary restriction only to justify their action with the fact that they’ll really start the diet next week. This is the problem. Too often do we wait for the “right” time. We wait for nice weather to go for a run, we wait for the salad to end up on our dish, and we wait for all the things we think will make us happy. The truth is that it’s already here. The happiness is here and the right moment is right in front of you. Start today, not next year.

You know it’s not going to last.

Okay. You believe in setting in new years resolutions, but you don’t believe in the one you set. You tell yourself that you are going to improve on your self health, join a gym, and all of a sudden start changing your eating habits. You tell yourself everything you want to hear, but that’s not going to satisfy you in the long run. Setting a resolution for the sake of setting a resolution is bad news. You do yourself no favors by making false promises.

There is no plan.

You expect to save money this year, but it wont happen. To save money is just a little too broad. You need to set a plan and hold yourself accountable. We live in a time where it’s too easy to make things happen. If you want to accomplish a goal, then you need to set a plan and follow it. Create a monthly budget, keep track of your experiences, reward yourself when necessary, and punish yourself just the same. It’s okay to start small. In fact, it is best to start small and learn while you tweak some of your plans to fit your lifestyle in the best way possible.

A new year doesn’t necessarily mean a new you. It just marks a new timeline for you to move forward and ultimately reflect on once we make it full circle again. Take the new year as your own, but remember to reflect on what you’ve had before you move on. As an individual who doesn’t believe in making a new years resolution, I do believe in the moments that lie ahead of us. Set your desire, make it last, and keep up with your plan.