Why New Year's Resolutions Don't Suck

I see this every single year, but this year more than ever: 

People everywhere bashing the concept of making new year's resolutions.   You might even go so far as to call it a movement.  A growing number of people vowing with disdain to never make another one again, and urging others to do the same.  "They're stupid.  They don't work!" they exclaim. 

NEWSFLASH:  Your new year's resolutions didn't fail…You failed.

The process of goal setting isn't broken.  And the idea of doing it in response to the changing of the year certainly isn't broken either. 

In fact, in a world where most people recognize the awesome power of goal setting and self evaluation but fail to actually do it throughout the year, what a blessing to have an annual event (one that so perfectly symbolizes new beginnings) that compels us to a do so at least once a year.

But believe me, I understand the scorn. I've felt the horrible disappointment of setting a goal and not achieving it (over and over again).   And we human beings hate to lose more than we love to dream.  And so we don't. 

But let's grow up here, shall we.  Life is about failure.  And life is also about learning why you failed, and trying again until you get it right.

This may sound downright silly but:  what if this year was different than all the others? 

Just because it hasn't worked out for you in the past, doesn't mean it won't right now.   And plus, life is so much better lived as a dreamer.

You can do this.  I know you can.

Comments

[Lubna]

Hi
Nice article. For the first time ever, I drew up a list of new year resolutions and blogged about it - why? Not just to share it, but to ensure that I can revisit whenever I need to.
My resolutions are simple, but these are goals which I do need to achieve and the earlier the better.
http://writerscyberslate.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-year-resolutions.html
Cheers

[Apoorv]

Nice article Al. This is the first time i made new year resolutions. Always thought this was lame and if you want to do things you don't need to give it a name. Doing it now as a response to the change in year is a great idea.

[Joseph Joel Sherman]

Recognizing the need to change and making resolutions re only the beginning to change.