New Year’s Resolutions

The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back to 153 B.C. January is named after Janus, a mythical god of early Rome. Janus had two faces — one looking forward, one looking backward. This allowed him to look back on the past and forward toward the future. On December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking backward into the old year and forward into the new year. This became a symbolic time for them to make resolutions for the new year and forgive enemies for troubles in the past. The Romans also believed Janus could forgive them for their wrongdoings in the previous year and would give gifts and make promises, believing Janus would see this and bless them in the year ahead. And thus, the New Year’s resolution was born!

The beginning of the year is a great time to get focused on what want from the year ahead. The most common resolutions are losing weight, doing more exercise, quitting smoking, and saving money. Sadly, most resolutions fail within the first few weeks of the new year. Research has shown that half of all adults make a New Year’s resolution, but fewer than 10% keep them for more than a few months. One study showed that 50% of people who make a resolution abandon it before even starting.

Perhaps you can’t decide on a worthwhile goal. Brian Tracy, the author of The Psychology of Achievement, proposes 7 questions to ask yourself to clarify goals that are consistent with your values.

1. What are five things you value the most in life, that you would sacrifice for?
2. In 30 seconds or less, write down the 3 most important goals in your life right now. A 30-second time limit is a good indicator of what is most important.
3. What would you do if you won $1 million tax free? What would you do if there were no financial, mental, or physical limitations?
4. How would you spend your time if you learned you only had six months to live?
5. What have you always wanted to do but were afraid to attempt?
6. In looking back over all the things you’ve done in your life, what types of activities give you your greatest feeling of importance?
7. Imagine that you received one magic wish. What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail?

I recommend that you take time to reflect on these questions and write them down. When we think, write, and talk about goals, the subconscious goes to work on our goals.

May you clarify and begin to implement your goals in 2022.