Andrea/Cara here,
So, it’s the second day of January . . . are you one of the many people who have scribbled down a list of resolutions for the next twelve months? A new year always seems to spur a resolve to make changes for the better. Some are really daunting ones—like” I’m going to lose weight” or “I’m going to be more organized.” (No matter that what we really want to resolve is to eat more chocolate. Hey—it’s good for us, right?)
We’re hardly the first who’ve felt the need to make such New Year’s resolution lists. Apparently there are records showing the Babylonians took such commitments seriously. Promising the gods that they would return borrowed items and pay their debts were popular pledges. In Medieval times, knights took the “Peacock Pledge” in December, whereby they promised to abide by the rules of chivalry for the coming year.
So, how do we do at succeeding at our resolutions? Alas, not very well, according to a study done several years ago, which reported 88% of people failed to live up to their list. But don’t despair! According to an article in the New York Times, the best way to succeed in a resolution is to have a specific, measurable goal–ie, deciding you want to lose ten pounds in order to look good for your college reunion rather than just simply saying you want to lose weight in 2017.
I have some things I’d like to write to the blank slate that is 2017—including finding more time for reading!—and while a don’t make a resolution list per se, I do have a checklist I keep looking at to remind me of goals. I think challenges are good and serve as motivation . . . as long as they maintain a healthy balance and encourage positive thoughts, not negative “I can’t do this” discouragement.
So what about you. Do you make a Resolution List? Any favorites you want to share?
I have never been a resolution list kind of gal. I’ve always felt that I could resolve to do something (and succeed or fail at it) anytime of the year – no need to wait for January 1. But to all those who make New Year resolutions, I say God Bless.
To all of the wenches, and everyone who follows this wonderful blog, my prayer is that we will all have a wonderful and blessed 2017.
I have never been a resolution list kind of gal. I’ve always felt that I could resolve to do something (and succeed or fail at it) anytime of the year – no need to wait for January 1. But to all those who make New Year resolutions, I say God Bless.
To all of the wenches, and everyone who follows this wonderful blog, my prayer is that we will all have a wonderful and blessed 2017.
I have never been a resolution list kind of gal. I’ve always felt that I could resolve to do something (and succeed or fail at it) anytime of the year – no need to wait for January 1. But to all those who make New Year resolutions, I say God Bless.
To all of the wenches, and everyone who follows this wonderful blog, my prayer is that we will all have a wonderful and blessed 2017.
I have never been a resolution list kind of gal. I’ve always felt that I could resolve to do something (and succeed or fail at it) anytime of the year – no need to wait for January 1. But to all those who make New Year resolutions, I say God Bless.
To all of the wenches, and everyone who follows this wonderful blog, my prayer is that we will all have a wonderful and blessed 2017.
I have never been a resolution list kind of gal. I’ve always felt that I could resolve to do something (and succeed or fail at it) anytime of the year – no need to wait for January 1. But to all those who make New Year resolutions, I say God Bless.
To all of the wenches, and everyone who follows this wonderful blog, my prayer is that we will all have a wonderful and blessed 2017.
Mary T, I’m pretty much the same way about tackling a task or a goal. We all been programmed to think of New Year’s as a new start, but really, any day can serve as the first day to resolve take on a challenge.
And I echo your lovely wishes to all our Wench family! May everyone have health, happiness and fulfillment in 2017!
Mary T, I’m pretty much the same way about tackling a task or a goal. We all been programmed to think of New Year’s as a new start, but really, any day can serve as the first day to resolve take on a challenge.
And I echo your lovely wishes to all our Wench family! May everyone have health, happiness and fulfillment in 2017!
Mary T, I’m pretty much the same way about tackling a task or a goal. We all been programmed to think of New Year’s as a new start, but really, any day can serve as the first day to resolve take on a challenge.
And I echo your lovely wishes to all our Wench family! May everyone have health, happiness and fulfillment in 2017!
Mary T, I’m pretty much the same way about tackling a task or a goal. We all been programmed to think of New Year’s as a new start, but really, any day can serve as the first day to resolve take on a challenge.
And I echo your lovely wishes to all our Wench family! May everyone have health, happiness and fulfillment in 2017!
Mary T, I’m pretty much the same way about tackling a task or a goal. We all been programmed to think of New Year’s as a new start, but really, any day can serve as the first day to resolve take on a challenge.
And I echo your lovely wishes to all our Wench family! May everyone have health, happiness and fulfillment in 2017!
I’m making the usual resolution about more exercise, and zumba class starts tomorrow! Once I’ve paid for something, I feel duty-bound to attend.
I’m making the usual resolution about more exercise, and zumba class starts tomorrow! Once I’ve paid for something, I feel duty-bound to attend.
I’m making the usual resolution about more exercise, and zumba class starts tomorrow! Once I’ve paid for something, I feel duty-bound to attend.
I’m making the usual resolution about more exercise, and zumba class starts tomorrow! Once I’ve paid for something, I feel duty-bound to attend.
I’m making the usual resolution about more exercise, and zumba class starts tomorrow! Once I’ve paid for something, I feel duty-bound to attend.
That’s SO true, Karin. Zumba is fun, so a good way to get moving. I’ve got my Fitbit charged. I find it a good reminder to get out and walk, which is a nice break from the writing desk. Exercise really is important for well-being—at least it is for me!
That’s SO true, Karin. Zumba is fun, so a good way to get moving. I’ve got my Fitbit charged. I find it a good reminder to get out and walk, which is a nice break from the writing desk. Exercise really is important for well-being—at least it is for me!
That’s SO true, Karin. Zumba is fun, so a good way to get moving. I’ve got my Fitbit charged. I find it a good reminder to get out and walk, which is a nice break from the writing desk. Exercise really is important for well-being—at least it is for me!
That’s SO true, Karin. Zumba is fun, so a good way to get moving. I’ve got my Fitbit charged. I find it a good reminder to get out and walk, which is a nice break from the writing desk. Exercise really is important for well-being—at least it is for me!
That’s SO true, Karin. Zumba is fun, so a good way to get moving. I’ve got my Fitbit charged. I find it a good reminder to get out and walk, which is a nice break from the writing desk. Exercise really is important for well-being—at least it is for me!
I used to enumerate goals for the year but since I seldom accomplished these, I have stopped doing so. I still look at a project and say “I hope I finish this this year.” often in a tone of despair for some have lingered on way to long even for the worse procrastinator on earth.
I used to enumerate goals for the year but since I seldom accomplished these, I have stopped doing so. I still look at a project and say “I hope I finish this this year.” often in a tone of despair for some have lingered on way to long even for the worse procrastinator on earth.
I used to enumerate goals for the year but since I seldom accomplished these, I have stopped doing so. I still look at a project and say “I hope I finish this this year.” often in a tone of despair for some have lingered on way to long even for the worse procrastinator on earth.
I used to enumerate goals for the year but since I seldom accomplished these, I have stopped doing so. I still look at a project and say “I hope I finish this this year.” often in a tone of despair for some have lingered on way to long even for the worse procrastinator on earth.
I used to enumerate goals for the year but since I seldom accomplished these, I have stopped doing so. I still look at a project and say “I hope I finish this this year.” often in a tone of despair for some have lingered on way to long even for the worse procrastinator on earth.
Oh yes, I use Fitbit too, although I don’t track myself as compulsively as I did the first 6 months after purchasing it.
Oh yes, I use Fitbit too, although I don’t track myself as compulsively as I did the first 6 months after purchasing it.
Oh yes, I use Fitbit too, although I don’t track myself as compulsively as I did the first 6 months after purchasing it.
Oh yes, I use Fitbit too, although I don’t track myself as compulsively as I did the first 6 months after purchasing it.
Oh yes, I use Fitbit too, although I don’t track myself as compulsively as I did the first 6 months after purchasing it.
Ha, ha! I’m a firm believer in setting goals and making an effort to meet them—but not beating myself up if they stretch on longer than I originally intended.
Ha, ha! I’m a firm believer in setting goals and making an effort to meet them—but not beating myself up if they stretch on longer than I originally intended.
Ha, ha! I’m a firm believer in setting goals and making an effort to meet them—but not beating myself up if they stretch on longer than I originally intended.
Ha, ha! I’m a firm believer in setting goals and making an effort to meet them—but not beating myself up if they stretch on longer than I originally intended.
Ha, ha! I’m a firm believer in setting goals and making an effort to meet them—but not beating myself up if they stretch on longer than I originally intended.
As they say in Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s more of a guideline Just seeing it on my wrist reminds me that I want to walk enough each day. I don’t check all that much either!
As they say in Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s more of a guideline Just seeing it on my wrist reminds me that I want to walk enough each day. I don’t check all that much either!
As they say in Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s more of a guideline Just seeing it on my wrist reminds me that I want to walk enough each day. I don’t check all that much either!
As they say in Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s more of a guideline Just seeing it on my wrist reminds me that I want to walk enough each day. I don’t check all that much either!
As they say in Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s more of a guideline Just seeing it on my wrist reminds me that I want to walk enough each day. I don’t check all that much either!
Eventually I started doing a “Statement of Intentions” instead of Resolutions. This year it doesn’t have a name and it has very small concrete bits and pieces on it.
Well, there are several real goals on it but if I don’t make them at the exact time stated, there is leeway built in.
Eventually I started doing a “Statement of Intentions” instead of Resolutions. This year it doesn’t have a name and it has very small concrete bits and pieces on it.
Well, there are several real goals on it but if I don’t make them at the exact time stated, there is leeway built in.
Eventually I started doing a “Statement of Intentions” instead of Resolutions. This year it doesn’t have a name and it has very small concrete bits and pieces on it.
Well, there are several real goals on it but if I don’t make them at the exact time stated, there is leeway built in.
Eventually I started doing a “Statement of Intentions” instead of Resolutions. This year it doesn’t have a name and it has very small concrete bits and pieces on it.
Well, there are several real goals on it but if I don’t make them at the exact time stated, there is leeway built in.
Eventually I started doing a “Statement of Intentions” instead of Resolutions. This year it doesn’t have a name and it has very small concrete bits and pieces on it.
Well, there are several real goals on it but if I don’t make them at the exact time stated, there is leeway built in.