Maria Weiskott

One of the World's Oldest Professions: New Year's Resolutions
December 31, 2007

Next to gift giving – which is the oldest documented tradition on earth – the custom of making New Year’s resolutions is ancient as well. According to some historians, in fact, it dates back to 153 B.C. when Janus, a mythical Roman king with two faces, was placed at the head of the calendar (ergo, January). A talented guy, what with having two faces and all, he could look back on past events as well as look forward to the future. 

And so…we have Janus to thank for the resolutions ritual: At the start of the year, we look back and then look forward resolving to improve on one thing or other. 

Hard on the heels of the resolution-making tradition is possibly the third oldest known practice: the breaking of New Year’s resolutions. Indeed, a recent survey by Franklin Covey, an effectiveness training company, reports that upwards of 35 percent of survey respondents break resolutions by the end of January. What’s worse, some 33 percent report they were never even committed to the resolutions they set. (Oh, the shame of it.)

Obviously, there is something wrong with this primeval practice, with the likely culprit being time – or the lack of it in today’s multi-tasking world. According to the Franklin Covey survey, nearly 40 percent of those surveyed said they broke their resolutions because they had “too many other things to do.”  

So what’s a revolver to do?

Following, a collection of suggestions for successful resolution-making from a variety of experts ranging from time-management consultants to psychologists to sociologists to an assortment of Ph. D.’s to medical doctors.

• Create a real plan with actions and steps to success, just as you would create a business plan.
• Focus on realistic goals with measurable results.
• Write the plan down and keep it visible.
• When making a plan, think “year round,” not just January 1.
• Be flexible with your plan, as with any plan, allowing for change – especially the unexpected.
• View setbacks as lessons for growth.
• Start immediately; act – don’t wait to be motivated.
• And definitely tell one or more people close to you what your goals are.

You can tell us, if you like; we’d love to hear them – just click on “post a comment” below and share.

Personally, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions (see Gift of Gab in January's Gifts & Decorative Accessories), but I do make wishes. Here’s one from the top of my list and the bottom of my heart:
 
                         I wish you a very happy, healthy and 
                                 extremely successful 2008!

Posted by Maria Weiskott on December 31, 2007 | Comments (0)