As the fireworks fade and the calendar turns, we find ourselves at the dawn of a brand new year. It's a time brimming with potential, promising fresh starts and new beginnings. Many of us are enjoying the last remnants of the holiday season, while others have already plunged into the hustle and bustle of daily life. But there's something that unites us at this time of year: the reflection on the year that has been and looking forward to what is yet to come.
These reflections often motivate some of us to take an extra step and make a new years resolution.
In the serene afterglow of the festivities, we've engaged in contemplative discussions about the merit of these annual promises we make to ourselves. It's a topic that has sparked intense debate among my colleagues—Lee staunchly in favor, Kim decidedly against.
Kims take on New Years resolutions is valid: Why should we set ourselves up to fail by not achieving the promised big New Years resolution? Instead you could have much smaller wins and ride the year on multiple successes.
Lee’s take was that of the eternal optimist, seeing things with a fresh perspective after a break can lead to a much needed reinvigoration of oneself to pursue new goals.
My own position, was somewhere in the middle, maintaining a diplomatic neutrality that I attribute to my Swiss heritage.
I have attempted new years resolutions, and failed, I’ve also not made New Years resolutions and had both good years and bad years – in my experience there is no correlation between a New Years resolution and a positive outcome, but everyones different.
One thing we all agreed on, was that the beginning of a new year generally brought with it some much needed fresh energy after a few weeks of reflection, and the opportunity to use that energy as motivation is something that should be harnessed one way or another.
A brief history of the evolution of New Years resolutions.
It's worth noting that New Year's resolutions aren't a modern invention. Their origins trace back to the ancient Babylonians, who celebrated the new year in March with the planting of crops and the crowning of kings. Their resolutions were practical commitments, like repaying debts and returning borrowed items. There were no fad diets - back then, eating paleo wasn't a choice but the way of life!
2000 years later, Julius Caesar reformed the calendar and established January 1st as the start of the new year. This decision lent new momentum to the resolution tradition. January was named after Janus, the Roman god of doors and transitions, who could look to the past and future simultaneously. Romans would offer sacrifices and promises in the hope of blessings for the year ahead, exchanging gifts like dates, figs, honey, and coins as tokens of goodwill and prosperity.
Now, leap forward another two millennia, and the nature of New Year's resolutions has shifted dramatically. After indulging in the holiday feasts and feeling the pinch of seasonal spending, it's no surprise that many of today's resolutions revolve around health, finances, and personal development. This will be noticeable on social media and paid advertising, as slick marketers will be leveraging those resolutions to convert into sales of diet plans, gym memberships, financial freedom playbooks, etc (unless of course your resolution is to reduce screen time and/or social media!).
Why do they fail, and how can they succeed?
At their core, resolutions are a manifestation of our desire for betterment. They represent the noble aim of fostering positive change in our lives. Yet, despite these intentions, resolutions often falter before the calendar turns its first page to February. This failure can typically be attributed to a lack of detailed planning. Setting a goal is the easy part; the challenge lies in charting the course to achieve it.
The downfall of many resolutions lies in their rigidity and the drastic nature of the behavioural changes they require. For those seeking significant shifts from their current habits, setting flexible and less specific goals may lead to greater success. It's the difference between "I want to save a certain amount by year's end" and "I want to be more mindful of my spending habits."
The approach to resolutions can be more about the journey than the destination. It's about embracing a behavioural change and recognising the effort, rather than fixating on a specific metric. This shift in perspective can be empowering, providing a broader toolkit for achieving our objectives and laying the groundwork for lasting habits.
So, to all who are stepping into the New Year with resolutions in hand, I offer my encouragement and best wishes. Remember that life is a tapestry of trials and triumphs. Plan for the challenges, remain adaptable, and allow yourself the grace to navigate the inevitable ebbs and flows. May this year bring you closer to your aspirations and enrich your life with growth and resilience.
Here's to a year of transformation and achievement!