Making that annual New Year's resolution is a tradition that much of the populace has followed for centuries. New Year's resolutions can be traced back as far as 153 B.C. when Janus, the ancient symbol for resolutions, and mythical king of Rome who had two faces, could look back to reflect on the past with one face and forward to the future with the other.
Some believe that New Year's resolutions were started by the early Babylonians who began a tradition of returning farm equipment they had borrowed throughout the year. Wherever the origin started, making New Year's resolutions has remained a custom that is still widely practiced today.
Several different sources claim to know what the top New Year's resolutions are that people make each year. Here are the top New Year's resolutions that Americans make according to the U.S. Government.
Popular New Year's Resolutions
- Lose Weight/Get Fit/Eat Right
- Manage Debt/Save Money
- Get a Better Job
- Get a Better Education
- Drink Less Alcohol
- Quit Smoking
- Reduce Stress
- Take a Trip
- Volunteer to Help Others
If those popular resolutions aren't creative enough, here are some other ideas for New Year's resolutions that are not included on the U.S. Government's list.
Alternative New Year's Resolutions
- Go Green
- Enjoy Life
- Get Organized
- Learn a Language
- Spend Time with Family
- Improve Community
- Learn Something New
Achieving New Year's Goals
- No matter which resolution is chosen, following through with achieving it can be a life changing experience for the better. Each year we are given an opportunity to start fresh with a new goal, and new inspiration of attaining it.
- While some have the best of intentions, and try to make a genuine effort to change whatever needs to be improved in order to enhance their quality of life, others often give up shortly after determining their goals.
- The percentage of those who actually reach their goals is quite low. Setting goals that are attainable is the best way to achieve success no matter what the resolution is. It is better to take small steps toward a goal than to set too big of a goal and give up altogether. Some change is better than none.
- Decide on what is attainable and then take actions to achieve it. For example, instead of making a goal to lose 30 pounds, make a goal to lose 5 pounds. Once that is achieved, set another goal of losing 5 more pounds, that way success can be achieved and continued.
Minka Gantenbein - Minka Gantenbein is a freelance journalist from the beautiful Central Coast of California. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in ...
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