Resolutions – Why Make ‘Em?

Fireworks to Celebrate the New Year

Resolutions – Why Make ‘Em?

It’s the second week in January.  So how are your resolutions going?

The Surprising Stats

According to The Guardian’s poll, only 32% of people make New Years’ resolutions.  I was surprised how few people make them.  I never make them, but thought I was among the few, not the many.

Of the resoluters,  35% want to lose weight, while 33% wanted to get fitter and 31% wanted to eat more healthily.  Well, that covers 99% of the group.

That’s boring.  I was hoping for things like try rock climbing or start a Meetup hiking group.  Something unusual or ever thought about.

But, here’s the best part of the survey results, look at the rest of the list:

  • Take better care of my appearance – that goes with the first 3 in my opinion.
  • See more of friends/family
  • Find more time for myself (e.g. more me time)
  • Get a better work-to-life balance
  • Stop drinking alcohol/drink less
  • Give up smoking
  • Other
  • Don’t know

These are not inspired.

My favorite is “don’t know.”  So these people want to make a resolution, but can’t figure out what they need to do or improve.  Perhaps, they can try being more decisive?

How Long They’ll Stick to It

Well ….. they don’t last long.

  • Not even a month – 31%
  • One month or less – 30%
  • Less than three months – 16%
  • Less than a year – 24%

These same people make resolutions every year and don’t stick to it.

Diet is the one broken most; usually in a few weeks.

The good news is the health club and diet food industry booms in January and falls off in February.

But there have to be better resolutions to make.

Aspirational Resolutions

Try these:

  • Set foot on each of the seven continents, even Antarctica.
  • Cross a country on a bicycle.
  • Live like a local for a month in a foreign country.
  • Go heli-skiing.
  • Climb one of the world’s Seven Summits.
  • Dive with a whale shark (Dolphins do not count).
  • SCUBA the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Volunteer abroad for a month.
  • Go on a safari (not in Disney World either).
  • Climb an active volcano.
  • Photograph an endangered species.
  • Teach English in a foreign country.
  • Attend the Olympics.
  • Visit every capital city in Europe.
  • Shake hands with someone famous.

These are resolutions that may encourage me to make one.

So, seize the day or year or bucket list.  Pick a couple and let me know your plans.