New Year's Resolutions

As with so many other years, I am not making any resolutions. Mainly because I don't keep them. Plain and simple. In my defense, Chris and I do usually pick a "theme" for the year. In 2009 it was "Dis-i-pline in 2009" (you have to say it with a nice rhyme to it).

However, many people do make resolutions. Actually, 40 to 45% of American adults make one or more resolutions each year. Among the top New Year's resolutions are resolutions about weight loss, exercise, better money management and/or debt reduction, organization, getting a better job, being less grumpy (some resolutions should just be made BEFORE the holiday season), being more independent and learning something new.

Research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, a system where small measurable goals are used (lose a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

The following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:
- past the first week: 75%
- past 2 weeks: 71%
- after one month: 64%
- after 6 months: 46%

-www.proactivechange.com

Do you keep your resolutions? What are your resolutions for 2010?