Resolutions are good. New Years resolutions aren’t so good. The beginning of a year is a good time to make a new start, but any day of the year is just as good.
Resolutions are about resolve, not wishful thinking. Depending on the data you believe, less than 50% of New Years resolutions last past sixty days. The failure rate for resolutions in general is probably similar.
People–you, me and everybody else–typically change due to hope of gain or fear of pain. Most change after sufficient pain has induced the kind of suffering that makes change a no-brainer. The best time to change is before pain and suffering occur. Preventive actions to maintain health trump remedial actions to cure problems. Saving money for a retirement or a rainy day downturn beats cutting back when it starts to rain.
Change is easy to make and difficult to maintain. I can eat well today and overindulge tomorrow. Successful change is evidenced by long-term benefits, not inconsistent and temporary behavior.
What have you resolved to change this year?
