New Year’s resolutions are a constructive tradition, enabling people to reflect and grow. Change can happen at any point during the year, but New Year’s marks a clean slate and an opportunity for people to seek self-improvement.
During the new year, many in the Choate community will create New Year’s resolutions based on personal reflection, aiming to make a positive change as they see fit. In fact, according to Forbes, 39% of Gen Z feels pressured to take part in the practice. When doing so, they should maintain a focused lens and make specific concrete objectives that can further their growth.
Setting goals for oneself means taking the first step towards better habits in the future. While the main benefit of New Year’s resolutions is personal development, there are many other incentives. Making resolutions and following through on them provide a sense of motivation and purpose. Completing New Year’s resolutions also builds self-discipline, making it easier to overcome obstacles in the future.
Some feel that New Year’s resolutions are empty promises that will be abandoned in a few weeks. That is why it is crucial to set realistic, attainable goals while still feeling a reasonable amount of challenge. Although setting a doable goal — one that is neither too easy nor too difficult — requires thought and effort, it will ultimately prove to be rewarding.
Following through on proper resolutions is certainly demanding, but it is up to you to hold yourself accountable. A Forbes Health poll found that, overall, 81% of respondents felt confident in their ability to stick to their resolutions and 77% say that they are the ones in charge of holding themselves accountable for achieving their goals.
Interestingly, members of Gen Z are the least likely to hold themselves accountable and instead rely on a friend to keep them on track. If you have a resolution you are really trying to achieve, finding an accountability buddy could be the key to your success.
A common obstacle I have experienced is lying to myself and justifying that breaking a resolution one time is acceptable. As I have learned, unfortunately, the one time will set a precedent for violating the resolution in the future. Habits can only be built through continual actions, and it is necessary to be consistent in following your resolutions.
New Year’s resolutions require hard work, dedication, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Despite being challenging, following resolutions is beneficial. Setting goals offers an opportunity to reflect on the past and make positive changes for the future, helping people become exemplary versions of themselves. Whether it’s eating healthier, exercising, getting better grades, or making more time for self-reflection, New Year’s resolutions are a valuable tradition that changes people for the better.
