Every year, millions of people resolve to be better in the new year, save more money, drink more water, start doing Cross-Fit, read more books, get more sleep, or just “realize things”. Every year in the few weeks leading up to December 31st, people take a look at themselves and think “how can I be better?” and even though, according to a 2012 article from Forbes, only about 8% of people succeed in their resolutions. So why do we keep making them? A lot of people don’t. In fact, about 60%, according to the same article from Forbes, and maybe they’re right to opt-out, with such a high failure rate, what’s the point? Well, I still believe in New Year’s Resolutions, and here are three reasons why I think you should too.
1. There is that 8%
Even though the gyms are practically barren by March and the organic section of your local supermarket may seem a little more stocked by Valentine's Day, there are some who actually succeed in their resolutions! You can actually do it. Even if you “fall off the horse” once or twice, you can keep going. This may not be news to you but, as Wayne Gretzky and then Michael Scott said, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
2. Introspection is a good thing.
It’s always important to notice the things in your life that aren’t working, and think of a way to improve it if you can. It’s always good to be healthy and get more sleep, or drink more water or quit smoking. Whatever it is, no one in their right mind would make a resolution to do something bad for themselves, so why not?
3. It isn’t just another midnight…
Something I heard a lot this year was people saying that time is relative and that New Year’s Eve really doesn’t mean anything because it’s just another night. Which, while that’s technically true, the new year is a worldwide celebration of a new beginning. In a lot of ways, it’s not just another night, so while anytime is a good time to try and better yourself, the New Year is a good mark, that way, when midnight strikes again, 365 days later, you can see how far you’ve come.
So in sum, I think New Year’s resolutions are always a good idea, even if they fail. It’s always good to think about things you can improve on and to start the year with a positive attitude!
