Story co-written/produced with Natalie Ballard
As another new year begins, so many of us set out to better ourselves with new year’s resolutions. However, according to research, a great number of us will drop our resolutions by the end of January. Research shows that around 45 to 60 percent of people set resolutions at the beginning of the year, while only 8 percent maintain them throughout the year.
We asked some of our catamounts about their resolutions and here’s what they had to say:
The practice of new year’s resolutions has been around for thousands of years and it is believed to have started with the ancient Babylonians 4,000 years ago. The Babylonians made promises to the gods to repay their debts and return borrowed items, and it is believed these were the beginnings of the tradition.
Resolutions have changed quite drastically from what they were then. According to Inc., the most common new year’s resolution of 2019 is to diet or eat healthier. However, as so many of us know, these resolutions aren’t always kept. In 2012, Time reported that the most commonly failed new year’s resolution is that of losing weight or getting fit with 60 percent of gym memberships going unused.
To combat this common fate of new year’s resolutions, The New York Times writer Jen A. Miller offers tips to help keep resolutions using the SMART method. When making resolutions, Miller writes its important to ensure they are:
- Specific – Goals should be clear and concrete.
- Measurable – Be able to track progress to see how you’re doing.
- Achievable – Goals should be realistic.
- Relevant – Goals should matter to you.
- Time-Bound – Give yourself enough time to achieve the goal.
Miller claims that setting goals that are clear and realistic is the best way to ensure change in the new year.
However, if you among the ones who don’t believe in setting new year’s resolutions, you’re not alone. In an article looking at resolutions over the course of the century, many felt for years that new year’s resolutions are not that important.
Though it seems many don’t care for resolutions or think its a silly concept, over half of U.S. adults still set them every year in hopes of achieving their goals.
Whatever your resolution is, good luck in achieving your goals in 2019!
