Did you actually make any New Years resolutions?

@pgiblett (6524)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

That is the same with most people, by January 15th no one is successfully keeping their resolutions. If you attune yourself to continuous improvement you take one day at a time and work on that.

4 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

I think people tend to make unrealistic resolutions. It's easy to say "I'll quit smoking on January 1 when it's still December 25.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

@pgiblett I agree. I call it "baby steps."

2 people like this

Juliaacv

@Juliaacv (51197)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

I don't really make any resolutions so much as I do make short and long term goals, and they don't necessarily have to be made on the first of the year.

5 people like this

@pgiblett (6524)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

Agreed - when we do resolutions we set ourselves up to fail.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

That's a more realistic approach. And it can be a continuous process.

3 people like this

Marlina

@marlina (154131)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

Gave up making resolutions a long time ago.

4 people like this

@pgiblett (6524)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

I agree. I follow the principle of Kaizen or continuous improvement. Each day strive to do things better than the last time.

4 people like this

@pgiblett (6524)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

@TheHorse Something like "finding a new job" is more about putting a plan in place to make that happen then ruthlessly carrying out the plan.

2 people like this

Angie

@andriaperry (116936)

• Anniston, Alabama

1 Jan 16

@TheHorse The bigger the better, the more you want it the more you`ll work for it.

2 people like this

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111938)

• United States

1 Jan 16

NO WHY SHOULD IT.I HAVE BEEN A GOOD BOY.THE WHOLE THING IS A JOKE. GOING TO LOSE WEIGHT,HEALTHY DIET THE SAME OLE SAME OLE.

4 people like this

mommaj

@mommaj (23112)

• United States

10 Jan 16

@TheHorse Guess your resolutions are getting accomplished.

2 people like this

@DaddyEvil (137259)

• United States

10 Jan 16

@TheHorse I kind of thought that would be some resolutions you would be inclined to make, sir!

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

10 Jan 16

@mommaj Yep. Gonna go eat some tri-tip tonight with friends, drink some more, win the lottery, and find me a new gold-digger.

2 people like this

Wendy789

@Drosophila (16571)

• Ireland

1 Jan 16

I don't usually, but I made one 5 years ago and stuck with it till today. Stop smoking.. Ain't smoked since

4 people like this

Wendy789

@Drosophila (16571)

• Ireland

1 Jan 16

@TheHorse didn't think I was gonna be able to do it, then it turned out easier than I thought lol

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

@Drosophila I'm glad to hear that! I've heard that's one of the hardest things to give up. Do you feel healthier?

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@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

Now that's a really good one.

2 people like this

Kristen Howe

@KristenH (33386)

• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

1 Jan 16

I, more or less, have goals to keep in mind, starting with today. Stay focused, stay organized, and then finish what I've started in my novels.

4 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

Novels? Reading or writing?

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@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

@KristenH Got it. Reading what others write is stimulating.

2 people like this

Kristen Howe

@KristenH (33386)

• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

1 Jan 16

@TheHorse Writing and editing. But I'll do some reading on the side for breaks.

2 people like this

Koalemos

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

1 Jan 16

As far as I can remember I have never made New Year's resolution. Maybe I did as a child, although I cannot recollect doing so. The whole system is considered traditional and many people make one due to feeling obligated, so they are doomed to fail.

3 people like this

Koalemos

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

1 Jan 16

@TheHorse People are content to make unrealistic resolutions because they never truly intend to keep them.

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@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

I suppose it's sort of a "tradition"--something to talk about. I agree with the wise professor guy. If you're going to make resolutions, make them be realistic.

2 people like this

Hope

@1hopefulman (45120)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

Yes, yes, yes, to all your questions!

4 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

Realistic is good. Baby steps are good.

2 people like this

@pgiblett (6524)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

I NEVER make resolutions because you will break them all by the 15th of January. Start each day with a plan to do one thing better today than you did it last time and you will get better over time. It will be a part of a process of continuous improvement.

4 people like this

@pgiblett (6524)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

@TheHorse ... but the point is you are making progress.

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@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

I agree with that philosophy. And sometimes the steps in any given day can be quite small.

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@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

@pgiblett Precisely. But those more "abstract" goals still get me sometimes.

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Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61102)

• United States

2 Jan 16

I don't but having said that I am resolved to de-clutter in 2016 by 50%. We are getting older and I don't want or need stuff anymore.

2 people like this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61102)

• United States

2 Jan 16

@TheHorse I open a drawer and must get ride of at least 5 things, often I do a lot more. We have way too much clothes and I used to be an antique dealer so my attic is filled with "stuff"

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

3 Jan 16

@BelleStarr I'm going to start with boxes that have been sitting around holding nothing for more than six months.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Jan 16

I'm always trying to de-clutter. I should make a "resolution" to throw SOMETHING out every day.

2 people like this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317041)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

1 Jan 16

I don't usually, but this year I made goals instead of resolutions - achievable goals, so I'm hoping they work.

4 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

Don't hope. Just do. And all that sort of thing.

2 people like this

Ryan Reid

@bobo2500 (153)

• Howell, Michigan

2 Jan 16

I set goals for the year, specific and just barely attainable usually. I only have one "resolution", and it is the same every year. "Be a better person than last year."

3 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Jan 16

I always say be a bit nastier and more selfish this year. But I find it hard to pull off. For now, I'll stick with get much better on the mandolin, and learn more jazz tunes on bass. Those are attainable.

2 people like this

Anne Johnston

@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

1 Jan 16

I don't make resolutions. I do set some goals for myself and try to work hard to achieve them.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

I do that as well. That's easiest when the goals are concrete. Right now I'm trying to become a better mandolin player.

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Angie

@andriaperry (116936)

• Anniston, Alabama

1 Jan 16

ABSOLUTELY! I make 4 each year and I check end at the end of each month to see if I am on track or not. But I never make the "lose weight" because that is something I work on everyday regardless. Mine are 1. Stop shopping and use the stockpile. 2. Start up the new business and I will wok on that one today. 3. Out with the old worn and in with the new, I need a car and new clothes. 4. Be more selfish, I usually provide for others over myself. See none of those are your typical resolutions.

3 people like this

@pgiblett (6524)

• Canada

1 Jan 16

@TheHorse measurement of any change is important.

3 people like this

measure

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

The fourth one is often one of mine. But it's hard to measure!

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@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

@pgiblett I suppose one could set a goal: one completely selfish act today. Three per day later in the year. And so on. Or just have self-awareness: "I can be assertive here."

3 people like this

@DaddyEvil (137259)

• United States

10 Jan 16

I've never made any New Year's resolutions. I always thought it was kind of silly, myself. If I decide I want to lose 10 lbs, then the time of year to make a resolution like that is certainly not in the winter time when Mother Nature tells everyone's body to store fat and sleep more! The time to make that resolution is in the Spring when your natural tempo slows down and your body "wakes up" from its Winter's lethargy! The same could be said of many other resolutions people decide to make and then break before two weeks has passed.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

10 Jan 16

I agree. I think it's just something to talk about.

1 person likes this

Margaret Mwangi

@Missmwngi (12915)

• Nairobi, Kenya

1 Jan 16

I don't really make them and if i do it is something i know i can manage without stress

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@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Jan 16

In general, stress is not good for health.

1 person likes this

Margaret Mwangi

@Missmwngi (12915)

• Nairobi, Kenya

1 Jan 16

@TheHorse Exactly

1 person likes this

Nanette Piotrowski

@nanette64 (20364)

• Fairfield, Texas

2 Jan 16

I only had 1 that I kept going for @TheHorse and that was to quit smoking. I cut back for awhile but never quit.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Jan 16

Oh, I still smoke now and then. Like you, I've cut back.

1 person likes this

Susan

@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

2 Jan 16

@TheHorse I used to make resolutions but didn't follow through. Now I make small goals.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Jan 16

Small goals are more realistic. They can serve larger goals.

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@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Jan 16

@HazySue I have some larger goals (some of them musical), but I try to find smaller goals (getting better on the mandolin) that serve the bigger goals.

Susan

@HazySue (39268)

• Gouverneur, New York

2 Jan 16

@TheHorse I find I get more accomplished if I make smaller more realist goals.

1 person likes this

Darroch

@Darroch (245)

• United Kingdom

2 Jan 16

Didn't make any resolutions as such, but keen to continue on my mission of trying to declutter. Oh, and would like to lose some weight and get fitter.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Jan 16

@Darroch I try to mke my goals concrete, like "list two things on eBay tomorrow." I'm about to "finish one surface on the speakers I'm working on."

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218846)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Jan 16

Are you taking steps toward those goals?

1 person likes this

Darroch

@Darroch (245)

• United Kingdom

2 Jan 16

@TheHorse The decluttering I will aim to start tomorrow again by listing things on Ebay, but that's about it for now. lol. Hence why I probably don't call them resolutions, more just intentions or aims.

1 person likes this

Sandralu

@Sandralu (14)

• Ningbo, China

2 Jan 16

I always make resolutions like learn drawing, keep fit or travel to some foreign countries... But all of them seem so unrealistic. I will write all my goals down on a paper, sealed in an envelope and opened it at the end of that year. Ooooh, noooo, I fulfill not one item on it. Sadlly, and make new year resolution again.

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