By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | December 29, 2024

As January 1st approaches, millions of Americans prepare to start 2025 with New Year’s resolutions. This tradition of self-improvement dates back more than 4,000 years to the Babylonians, who celebrated the New Year in March with the Akitu festival. They pledged to their gods to repay debts and return borrowed items, laying the foundation for modern resolutions.

The Challenge of Resolutions

Despite their popularity, New Year’s resolutions often falter. A recent poll revealed that around 52% of resolutions are abandoned by March. Common reasons for failure include setting unrealistic goals, lacking a concrete plan, and losing motivation. Experts suggest setting smaller, achievable goals, finding accountability partners, and creating detailed plans to improve success rates.

A Historical Perspective

The Babylonians were among the first to mark the New Year with resolutions, but their year began in mid-March. During their 12-day religious festival, they crowned a new king or reaffirmed loyalty to the reigning one and made promises to their gods. Similarly, the Romans shifted their New Year to January 1st in 46 B.C., honoring Janus, the two-faced god who looked to the past and the future. Sacrifices and resolutions for good behavior marked the occasion.

By the 18th century, Christians adopted the practice as a time to reflect and set goals for personal growth. The phrase “New Year’s resolution” first appeared in print in 1813 and has since become a cultural staple.

The Most Popular Resolutions

Year after year, health-related goals top the list of resolutions, including eating healthier, exercising more, and losing weight. Saving money and reducing stress are also common themes. For instance:

• In 2020, 44% of Americans resolved to eat healthier, alongside similar percentages in the UK and Poland.

• In 2019, over half of Americans aimed to exercise more (59%), eat healthier (54%), and lose weight (48%).

• A 2017 Stockholm University study found that 70% of resolutions focused on physical health, followed by self-improvement (10%) and psychological health (5%).

Expert Insights

Dr. Lawana Gladney, a Dallas, TX-based Success Psychologist, advises setting “intentions” rather than vague resolutions. “Success requires a clear goal, a detailed plan, and consistent execution,” she says.

Dr. Gladney helps clients establish realistic goals and actionable steps. For example, if one resolves to stay connected to family, then we have to have a plan and schedule to make the phone calls and make the trips to see the family. It is all about the goal, the plan, and the steps to execute the plan.

Dr. Gladney, a Ph.D. in Instructional Psychology and Technology specializing in human behavior and the brain’s role in behavioral change, has been practicing for over two decades. For more information about Dr. Gladney or to schedule an appointment, she can be reached at her website and across the following social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Dr. Nancy J. Lewis, an Atlanta-based leadership coach, emphasizes the importance of accountability. . “Resolutions often fail because they are too generic,” she explains. Dr. Lewis has guided countless individuals to achieve their goals by fostering discipline and consistency.

Setting specific goals with tactical actions and having an accountability partner significantly improves the chances of success.

Dr. Lewis is a transformational management and leadership development trainer and strategist who helps organizations leverage generations, talent, people, and processes to positively impact the bottom line. Dr. Lewis has authored multiple books. She is accessible via email at nancy@progressivetechniquesinc.com, her website, LinkedIn, and by telephone at (770) 964-5533.

A Success Story

Katie Allison, a 34-year-old mother, serves as an inspiration. After giving birth to her first child in 2017, she set a New Year’s resolution to lose 75 pounds. Within six months, she reached her goal weight of 145 pounds through daily gym visits, a sugar-free and reduced carbohydrate diet, no red meat, no dairy, and a disciplined routine and meal plan. Katie’s commitment has helped her maintain a healthy lifestyle for five years. Now pregnant with her second child, Katie plans to resume her fitness routine as soon as medically cleared.

 

Tips for Success

Experts recommend the following strategies to stick to resolutions:

·         Set realistic goals: Break down larger objectives into smaller, achievable steps.

·         Create a detailed plan: Outline specific actions and timelines.

·         Track progress: Regularly measure success to stay motivated.

·         Seek accountability: Work with a coach or partner to stay on track.

Whether you call them resolutions or intentions, the key to success lies in thoughtful planning, discipline, and a commitment to change. The New Year can be a time for meaningful transformation with these strategies.