So, my friends, how many times since the Waterford Crystal Ball dropped in Times Square have you thought about YOUR resolutions for 2017? Here are a few I’ve heard about.
- Lose Weight & Get Fit- Right. Sixty percent of gym memberships go unused
- Quit Smoking-Well, an estimated 15% of those who try to quit remain cigarette-free in six months
- Learn Something New- It’s too hard, it’s too much practice, I don’t have time
- Eat Healthier & Diet-Extreme dieting fails, just ask Oprah
- Get Out of Debt & Save Money-I will when the teens are out of the house
- Spend More Time with Family-What? I just spent the holidays with them!
- Travel to New Places-Refer to “Get Out of Debt & Save Money”
- Be Less Stressed-Breaking New Year’s Resolutions creates stress!
- Volunteer-Are you kidding me?
So why do we make New Year’s resolutions? It’s all about timing. Out with the old, in with the new! We look back at the past year, review our shortcomings, and then make an effort to improve ourselves as the New Year begins so we can have a better year! Well, 75%of resolutions will be continued through the entire first week of January, but only 46% make it past six months. University of Scranton stated that 39% of people in their twenties will achieve their resolution each year while only 14% of people over 50 years of age will achieve theirs. So for those of us over the Medicare age of 65, apparently our odds of keeping a New Year’s Resolution is close to ZERO. In that case, why bother?
I think I will just go back to what I learned as a child. Hold the door for someone, say “thank you”. Pick up the phone and ask “How are you?” Buy a stamp and write a real letter. Don’t gossip. Don’t tell everyone about your health problems. Smile. Sing, even if your cant’ carry a tune. Read a book. When the hat is passed, dig deep and give a little more. Pray.
Happy 2017.
Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/williamvanderbloemen/2016/01/01/why-your-new-years-resolutions-wont-work-and-what-will/#7aa6913e4165