New Year’s Resolution
For most of us, new year starts with resolutions. For some it works and for some it doesn’t. A recent study states that, “Set an objective which is challenging, but adaptable”. This makes sense. I guess, resolutions fail because we end up restricting ourselves to an objective that we do not adapt to. Common new year resolutions are related to quitting habits like smoking, drinking and so on.
Well, the reason why I emphasize on setting meaningful, adaptable objectives is the fact that in-case objectives are not met – it can bring down the confidence. Bottom line for an effective new year resolutions is that – instead of setting big goals, create small objectives and try to achieve them. There is no need to do everything, one should take things one by one and – you can be rest assured of the positive outcome.
The New Year starts on 31st December – New Year’s Eve, which is the last day as per the Gregorian calendar and continue till on 1st January – New Year’s Day. There are some common traditions like attending parties, eating special foods for New Year, making different and unique resolutions, watching amazing fireworks and many more. These celebrations are dated back to almost 4000 years.
History of New Year Resolution
In ancient time, Babylonians, were the first to observe New Year celebrations and make New Year resolutions. Their first new moon follows the “Vernal Equinox” – a day in the month of March when darkness and sunlight are in equal amount. This day indicates them the beginning of New Year and marked the occasion along with the huge religious festival – “Atiku”.
During Atiku, the Babylonians made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises could be considered the forerunners of our New Year’s resolutions. If the Babylonians kept to their word, their (pagan) gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. If not, they would fall out of the gods’ favor—a place no one wanted to be.
So new year celebrations and making resolutions are not new. New year celebrations and making resolutions are a way of life. It rejuvenates, makes us determined and instills more confidence to make focussed efforts to better our life.
Conclusion,
University of Bristol conducted a survey in 2007 involving 3,000 people and observed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail. Chances of succeeding in new year resolutions are more likely when we set small measurable goals; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”. For some, making new year resolutions public, helps. They get more determined to realise their goals. So bear in mind, one – not to make too many resolutions and two should be adaptable to the objectives set.
