How Many People Keep Their New Years Resolutions?

Author: Matthew E Peterson

For starters why don't you take a look at yourself. How many times have you kept your own New Year resolution? If you are like me or anyone else the answer is probably zero to once. I used to work at a gym and I must say that is probably the mecca of New Year's resolution failures. Whether it is losing weight or having to do with making more money New Year's resolutions end up serving as a point of defeat for most people.

Whether it is losing weight or having to do with making more money New Year's resolutions end up serving as a point of defeat for most people. Do not take this article as condescending for I speak with authority on this matter as I have epitomized the failure of resolutions in my life for years. Since most people find themselves 40lbs. overweight. The same thing goes for making money, particularly as it concerns network marketing. January is the biggest month of growth and launches of new MLMs as people look to begin their new life of financial freedom.

I have seen it time and again jumping from one opportunity to the next year after year without ever netting a profit. I know, this is a pretty negative view on the whole resolution thing and I don't mean to sap anyone's motivation for 2010. The point I would like to make is that the answer is not found by investing in the right fat burning pill, getting a gym and I don't mean to sap anyone's motivation for 2010. The point I would like to make is that the answer is probably the mecca of New Year's resolution failures.

Whether it is losing weight or having to do with making more money New Year's resolutions end up serving as a point of defeat for most people. Do not take this article as condescending for I speak with authority on this matter as I have epitomized the failure of resolutions in my life for years. Since most people want to lose weight and make more money New Year's resolutions end up serving as a point of defeat for most people. Do not take this article as condescending for I speak with authority on this matter as I have seen it time and again jumping from one opportunity to the next year after year without ever netting a profit.

I know, this is a net gain of say 5lbs. between the 10 gained from the two weeks of diet.



Source: ezinearticles.com

Matt is a top trainer and internet marketing coach who works with many industry leaders from around the world. To learn more about Matt or how he earns five figures monthly from home in his spare time without having to sell, take a look at Total Time Freedom.

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Who Made The First New Year's Resolution?

Author: God's Penman

Source: articledashboard.com



What is it that makes people stay up until the wee hours of the morning one night out of the year? My primary objective in life is not to see how late I can stay up, but getting up in the morning.

If I can get up each morning, it is a major accomplishment that I should celebrate with eggs, bacon and a hot cup of coffee — which is about all the celebrating I can handle.

I'm not anxious to see someone drop the ball on New Year's Eve. I do enough of that myself throughout the year and believe me, nobody cheers.

One thing I am most careful to do each New Year's Day is make out my resolutions for the coming year. New Year's resolutions represent one of the most ancient of human rituals. I say "human rituals" because it is not known whether the animal or plant world enjoy such exhilarating rituals. The evidence at this point in time is inclusive.

Perhaps Mark Twain was correct when he observed, "humans are the only animals that blush — or need to."

I have not always held such high and lofty views of the New Year's resolution. Once, when I was young and did not know any better, I completely ignored this yearly ritual.

My good friend and mentor, the Reverend Frank Simmons, set me straight on this important issue. My early pastorate was close to Frank's and we spent much time together. I learned so much from him, things they do not teach in college.

Each New Year's Day we would spend in each other's society. One year Frank and his wife would entertain us at his parsonage and the next year my wife and I would reciprocate. It was at our parsonage one year when I made the casual remark that I did not believe in New Year's resolutions.

As far as I was concerned, a New Year's resolution was a useless attempt to interfere with scientific laws. My best resolve is not going to change much in the long run. Besides, I can't run that far these days. My mind is bigger than my legs.

For example. Have you ever noticed that a New Year's resolution is stronger at its birth than any subsequent period? My best intention in January is a long faded memory by July.

Most New Year's resolutions are simply lame attempts to apologize for the past year and a promise of better behavior in the year ahead. People spend so much energy in the creative act of coming up with a good set of New Year's resolutions that there is no energy left to actually keep them for more than two consecutive days.

Frank allowed me to dig my hole as deep as possible and then in his unique way, let me know that I was wrong. I always took criticism from him very seriously.

"Can you tell me," he asked with a mischievous twinkle, "the origin of the New Year's resolution and who made the first one?"

Of course, he caught all of us off guard with this one. My good wife suggested that maybe it was Samson who resolved to give up female barbers.

Everyone had a good laugh at that one. Frank especially enjoyed it, slapping his knee and roaring with laughter.

My thoughts turned to the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 KJV.)

In my mind, a vow is the same thing as a resolution.

As important as it is to make a vow, or resolution, keeping it is more important. If you cannot, or will not, keep it, better not make it.

A resolution is not an opportunity to boast. It should be done very carefully and sincerely.

Many people at this time of the year make resolutions such as attending church more regularly, reading their Bible and praying every day, and giving more money to their local church.

Such resolutions are music in the ear of every pastor. The problem is, the band stops playing in mid-February.

If everyone who made such resolutions actually kept them for an entire year, most pastors would have heart attacks by September. Thankfully, there is no actual medical danger for the cleric population.

Back to Frank's intriguing question. "Can you tell me the origin of the New Year's resolution and who made the first one?"

During our lively discussion of the subject Frank kept quiet. He just leaned back in his chair, listening to the deliberation with a devilish grin playing across his face. Gradually, the rest of us grew silent and directed our attention toward Frank.

"All right," I finally begged, "tell us. Where did the New Year's Resolution originate and who make the first one?"

Frank knew he had us right where he wanted us.

"Not many people know," Frank began, "that the New Year's resolution has biblical roots. It began with Adam."

He certainly had my attention and I leaned forward to catch every word. With great deliberation Frank explained, "As the first couple began their second year in the Garden of Eden, Adam turned to Eve and said, 'Honey, this year I'm going to turn over a new leaf.'"

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How to Tell If Your New Year's Resolution is Doomed to Fail

Author: Anke Johnson

Source: ezinearticles.com



In more ways than one, New Year's Resolutions are a flash in the pan, but they don't have to be. For the media, who go "Top Ten" Resolution list crazy, it will continue to be just a burst of activity, but for people who really want to keep their New Year's Resolutions, the odds are strongly against them.

Why? There are really only two reasons why the failure rate is so high for accomplishing Resolutions. And regrettably an informal survey of recent New Year's Resolution tip articles and blog posts shows that these reasons are not well known nor communicated effectively to those who want to know.

The first reason the failure rate of New Year's Resolutions is so high is simply the choice of resolution. Simply put, people are poor when it comes to choosing Resolutions. Most don't slow down enough to give their choice careful consideration and reflection. A popular approach is to look at the aforementioned Top Ten Resolution Tip list and pick one or two. Thing is, when you distill goals and personal changes to lists, you end up with broad categories.

Categories are too broad for people to connect with on an emotional level. For example, lose weight to too vague to be meaningful. Getting specific helps a lot, e.g. lose 15 pounds by March 31. Now you've got something you can carve into steps and begin to tackle!

Adding rewards and consequences also help define the Resolution further and tie it to a person's emotions and sub-conscious. Using our weight loss example, a reward couple be purchasing some nice fitting new clothes. A consequence could be donating $20 to charity for every pound you missed by.

The second reason people fail to keep their New Year's Resolutions is skill. Believe it or not there is a process all people go through when making personal changes. Many people are aware of the stages of grief, anger, denial, and so on. Well, personal changes entails a scientifically proven process that is very similar.

Since nearly everyone is unaware of the personal change process, how can they be any good it? The answer is nearly everyone isn't. You have to understand the process, develop skill with the process and incorporate accountability into the process. So how can you reverse things and stack the odds of attaining your New Year's Resolution in your favor?

First, attune your goal to your deeper-seated emotional wants and needs. Doing so should make an immense difference. Second, reach out to discover and apply the proven personal change methods. Don't go at it alone so to speak!

Self-help and goal setting books offer some guidelines, but they are a dime a dozen and it's difficult for a layperson to know what's good stuff and what isn't. Professionals like life coaches and psychologists and wellness coaches generally have training and experience in guiding people through personal changes. Personal trainers have no to very little training in this regard, but good ones have a track record of helping people with fitness and weight loss goals.

As you can see, there's a lot more to successfully keeping a New Year's Resolution thank people think or are aware of. Taking this advice on making and keeping Resolutions to heart and doing just a couple things differently should make a huge difference for you in 2010.

Best of luck to you!

Anke Johnson is a practicing health and wellness coach. On New Year's Day 2010 she is launching Resolution Velcro, a coaching program designed to help people make better and more meaningful New Year's Resolutions - and keep them. http://www.resolutionvelcro.com

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Making a New Year's Resolution That's Right For You

Author: Gary Gzik

Source: ezinearticles.com



It's that time of year again - the night of New Year's Eve - when all too many sit anxiously waiting for the clock to strike twelve and the ball to drop. We celebrate the year that has just passed and the year that is coming up ahead. We reflect back on our accomplishments and our setbacks, what has gone down in history and how we are getting older. But, it doesn't last long, less than 24 hours later it is all over and we are putting pressure on ourselves with new found 'New Year's Resolutions'. An idea so many people process and vow to work on in the upcoming months.

New Year's Resolutions are great. They are a part of getting to 'someday' and they help us set up goals for ourselves. But realistically statistics have shown that only 8% of people actually succeed with their resolutions. Could it be possible that so many people are setting unrealistic goals? Or, is it the mere fact that they just don't have the will power to commit and stay dedicated to that once great idea they thought of on January 1st? The possibilities for failure could be many. But one thing is possible, if you set yourself up realistically you shouldn't be failing, so let's step back and look at what the process should be, before we start endlessly committing ourselves to unrealistic goals.

First and foremost, you need to be realistic with yourself. Why are you setting these particular New Year's Resolutions? Is it because it is something new you heard about and would like to experience, is it a transformation you would like to make within yourself, or is it a lifelong dream you've always had and have finally decided to conquer? Either way, ask yourself why you have never done it in the past - can it realistically be scheduled into the lifestyle you are living now, or are you going to have to change that too? How much time is it going to take from you? Be honest with yourself - why all of a sudden do you want to achieve this goal?

Once you are honest with yourself, and you are ready to commit, it is time to make a plan. First grab yourself a piece of paper for each New Year's Resolution you have. Then, at the top of each paper, write one of the resolutions. One at a time, answer the following questions:

Is this a permanent lifestyle change? If not, when would I like to achieve this resolution by?

Exactly how am I going to accomplish this resolution (i.e. if it is to lose weight - I will exercise three times a week for 30 minutes and cut out all junk food from my diet)?

Will this resolution affect people around me (i.e. if you decide to eat healthier, will your family be eating healthier as well or will you have to cook different meals for them)? If so, how will it affect them and what will I need to do differently?

Is my New Year's Resolution going to cost money? If so, how will I pay for the extra expenses?

What are my plans if I fall of track?

Is there someone that I can report my progress too, in order to stay focused?

What areas of my life will be affected by my resolution? What will I do to make sure everything works well together?

What else can I do to ensure I achieve my resolution?

These are just some of the questions you should be answering when you are writing down your resolution. Ensuring you are ready, you know the obstacles you have to accomplish and you have made a plan to get there - you are more likely to succeed at your New Year's Resolution. Keep in mind, that maintaining a journal with your progress, setbacks and reflections will help you learn, grow and stay focused throughout your journey.

Most people wake up on January 1st and decide they are going to change. They don't make a plan. They don't set a specific date. And they don't think about how this resolution will be implemented into their life. Today, you can be different. You can do all of this and more, by simply taking a few minutes to dedicate yourself towards your dream, you can and you should be able to make a New Year's Resolution that's right for you and succeed!

Gary Gzik is a Corporate Trainer and CEO of the business consulting company BizXcel which owns and operates Getting to Someday, a place where people go to stay motivated achieve their goals for getting to someday - http://www.gettingtosomeday.com

Stop by today and discover the truth to happiness with this free video, and we'll send you a free motivational eBook: http://gettingtosomeday.com/happiness-secret

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