I guess you're supposed to have your New Year's Resolutions made up before the New Year starts, so that you can begin following them on day one. Not much use in starting your resolutions on, say, November 12th. But nine days is still close enough. Besides, 2008 is a leap year so its really just eight.
I'm not sure whether there's any rules for New Year's resolutions. Something should separate a "resolution" from something you always want but fate always conspires to separate you from achieving your just reward. Like "score with hot new chick in HR" or "talk stepmom into paying bowling league dues." Mostly it seems like resolutions come from the self-help section of the western lifestyle section-resolutions are promises to yourself which if kept will result in some sort of "improvement." Strictly speaking they're what you resolve to do in the coming year. There's no real value judgment. Like "invade Poland," or "break company union." Generally there's some sort of self-improvement angle though. The most popular resolutions are to start exercising, go on a diet, spend more time with family and friends, and reduce debt. Sounds kind of pushy. All I know is my gym is crowded from January 1st to Spring Break every year with couch potatoes tying up the machines.
Some "scholars" at the University of Washington who studied New Year's resolutions say some keys to keeping them are a "strong initial commitment to make a change" and not "framing your resolutions as absolutes by saying, 'I will never do X again.'" That's just staggering insight. If I am committed to changing its more likely I'll change. I always thought most people forgot all about their resolutions by, say, the time it gets warm enough to enjoy ice cream (which is about January 5th for most of us). But the UW people say 63 percent of people kept their main resolution for at least two months. Which is about two months longer than the average attention span. And one month longer than any reasonable commitment should be expected to last.
There's some resolutions I'd love to actually make, but am honest enough to realize I have no likelihood of fulfilling:
I'm not sure whether there's any rules for New Year's resolutions. Something should separate a "resolution" from something you always want but fate always conspires to separate you from achieving your just reward. Like "score with hot new chick in HR" or "talk stepmom into paying bowling league dues." Mostly it seems like resolutions come from the self-help section of the western lifestyle section-resolutions are promises to yourself which if kept will result in some sort of "improvement." Strictly speaking they're what you resolve to do in the coming year. There's no real value judgment. Like "invade Poland," or "break company union." Generally there's some sort of self-improvement angle though. The most popular resolutions are to start exercising, go on a diet, spend more time with family and friends, and reduce debt. Sounds kind of pushy. All I know is my gym is crowded from January 1st to Spring Break every year with couch potatoes tying up the machines.
Some "scholars" at the University of Washington who studied New Year's resolutions say some keys to keeping them are a "strong initial commitment to make a change" and not "framing your resolutions as absolutes by saying, 'I will never do X again.'" That's just staggering insight. If I am committed to changing its more likely I'll change. I always thought most people forgot all about their resolutions by, say, the time it gets warm enough to enjoy ice cream (which is about January 5th for most of us). But the UW people say 63 percent of people kept their main resolution for at least two months. Which is about two months longer than the average attention span. And one month longer than any reasonable commitment should be expected to last.
There's some resolutions I'd love to actually make, but am honest enough to realize I have no likelihood of fulfilling:
1. Be more efficient at work (to allow for earlier daily departures).
2. Buy a new car.
3. Get a new TV.
4. Watch more movies and sports.
5. More time with college babes/less time with everyone else.
6 Get a bullfighter jacket. Really. Those things are totally cool.
Then there's my list of yawn-olutions that I have little or no interest in keeping, but would use to tell people these are my New Year's resolutions to make me seem like a better person:
1. Do volunteer work. Preferably with kids.
2. Read more. Focus on 19th century English novels. Like Dickens or Austen.
3. Cut out TV watching (except for the news). Also see No. 5.
4. Plant a garden (using only organic techniques, obviously).
5. Redecorate house. Oh, and start watching HGTV for tips (exception to Resolution No. 3).
6. Really get to know more of my neighbors.
Resolutions I am more likely to keep, but still won't because, let's face it, resolutions are pretty much lame:
1. Get more sleep.
2. Buy a pair of jeans that fit.
3. Clean my house once a month (need it or not).
4. Attend one party (or gathering with more than three people not in my family).
5. Go to one play. And only one play.
6. Office visit to one (and only one) of the following: dentist, eye doctor, or nutritionist.
So there you go. Totally untimely but hopefully I've inspired you to keep your own resolutions. Let me know in a couple of months.
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