In modern culture, the new year represents a period of introspection on the previous year and a fresh start for the year ahead. People are insistent on becoming “the best version of themselves,” making unrealistic resolutions while clinking glasses of sparkling juice on the last day of the year.
Frankly, I don’t think that New Year’s resolutions are worth it. A resolution is essentially a firm decision to do or not do something. It is a grounded conviction that will not be shaken. By this definition, most people’s New Year’s resolutions are not actually resolutions—they are statements that have no power. People may have every intention of following through with their resolutions, but by the end of January, they are often unable to see their resolutions through to the end of the year.
And although my stance is harsh, it really comes down to this: You don’t have to wait an entire year to do what you want to do. You want to start working out? Bring a friend and choose a day to hit the gym. You want to spend more time with family? Call your parents and let them know you’re thinking of them. You want to save money? Start setting money aside using the money you have in your checking account.
The time people take to think about resolutions they’d like to make for the next year is time they can be used to start those resolutions in the present. You don’t have to wait an entire year to reinvent yourself; why wait when you can start today?
If you do decide, however, that a resolution on New Year’s will help you attain the version of yourself that you desire, it’s important to have achievable goals and ways to create and accomplish those goals. Here are my tips for making achievable goals:
Create clear, specific goals - Having a clear idea of what you want to accomplish is important because it provides a good sense of direction. These kinds of goals can also help you devise concrete plans to attain your goals.
Seek support - If you’re an individual who isn’t very good at keeping yourself accountable, having someone to support you through a goal can be very helpful, pushing you to persevere and meet your goals.
Reward yourself - Rewards are a great way to motivate and push an individual to continue to do their best. As you reach your goal (or milestones of your overall goal), reward yourself in a way that isn’t detrimental to your goal and pushes you to accomplish it.
Resolutions have become an important part of the New Year’s tradition, and although they are intended to reflect positively on the individuals making resolutions, people are often unable to see their resolutions through. You don’t have to wait until the new year to make a change in your life. There is no time like the present, so choose every day to do something that will better your life and turn you into the person you want to be.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of ¶·Å£ÆåÅÆ University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, ¶·Å£ÆåÅÆ University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.