New Year’s Resolutions are stupid. I could stop right there and you’d know how we feel about this topic, but you’d miss the point of today’s post. The reason New Year’s Resolutions are dumb is because they don’t work. How do I know this? Well, just about every news story from December 28th – January 2nd or so will have something to do with how to keep New Year’s Resolutions and the rest of the stories in that time frame will be about how no one actually keeps them.
Now that I’ve unashamedly bashed New Year’s Resolutions, let’s talk about resolutions that actually DO work. These are maybe better referred to as goals. When I wrote about setting savings goals a while back I shared the concept of S.M.A.R.T. Goals:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Timebound
The core reason New Year’s Resolutions don’t work is because they aren’t REAL goals. Real goals meet all the criteria I mentioned above. This is a normal New Year’s Resolution: “I want to lose 30 pounds.” – By when? How? Another may sound like this: “I am going to start saving.” – How much? How? For what purpose? Where?
See what I mean? Just because you flip the calendar to a new year doesn’t mean you will stick to resolutions. Want to know how you can really set goals and stick to them? Watch the video…
See, it’s that simple. There’s nothing wrong with setting goals, and even beginning them on January 1st. The difference in whether or not they’ll work is up to you, not the calendar.
Stephanie Kay says
January 5, 2014 at 10:53 pmI have a number of goals for 2014. Saving money for a larger house (1100 sq ft with 5 kids!) is at the top. Using cash, a spending plan, and choosing to only buy what we need are part of my action steps. Thanks for reminding us to make S.M.A.R.T. goals! (Followed from Family Fun Friday)
Beverley Leonie says
January 4, 2014 at 2:24 pmDidn’t like the video. The woman/wife constantly interrupted. Ugh…how rude. I stopped play half way through. Your succinct written summary is much more helpful. Thank you.
Diane Hill Roark says
January 1, 2014 at 10:20 pmGreat video and encouragement for making your goals last.
Thank you for stopping by Wonderful Wednesday blog hop and linking up this post.
I will pin it! I also look forward to following all your social medias.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Kim O. says
December 29, 2013 at 8:48 amLol…We don’t stay up for the new year either and I personally don’t do new year’s resolutions, but I think that evaluating the prior years accomplishments or lack thereof and then praying about what God would have me to do differently in the upcoming year does help me to stay focused and to keep growing spiritually and otherwise. I have to do this often though not just at the new year.
We celebrate new years eve with pizza and new years day with a roasted goose or two.
Wishing you and your family loads of fun celebrating to bring in the new year as well as blessings and prosperity in the days and months ahead.
Melissa Taylor says
December 28, 2013 at 7:32 pmSpoken like a social worker. LOL! In all the service plans I had to make for all my clients back in my social work days, I had to do that very thing… make them specific, attainable, measurable. Makes so much sense… really hard to stick to a goal that’s vague; ie, lose some weight, get organized, etc. I’m still optimistic enough to try for some resolutions this coming year… we will see!
Jennifer says
December 28, 2013 at 12:23 pmGreat post! Resolutions are okay, but setting goals in order to accomplish that resolution is the key. I just joined a FB group called 2014: New Year’s Resolutions that is all about setting up to 3 goals for the year: A 12, a 52, and a 365 … something you will do each month, each week and each day. I’ve picked my 3 SMART goals and “resolve” to do them!
Elaine says
December 28, 2013 at 10:59 amWe seem similar in many ways:
1. We don’t really “Do” NY’s resolutions. We do set goals as in our 2014 Budget meeting today, but that’s really the only action I can think of that ties to the Jan. 1st date in some way.
2. I LOVE making a list (for just about everything) and checking things off. There is power in the checkmark!!!
3. I strongly dislike FB. There! I said it! I can’t believe they want to charge you!!! I just got on Pinterest and am trying to figure that out— like finding friends w/o using FB.
4. We are Not really the “stay up past midnight” types either. We might try once in a while at a friends’ party, but we’re usually the ones trying not to fall asleep on the porch swing, etc.
5. We don’t do football, Gasp! :0O ….so if it’s on at our house… then certain family is visiting. Otherwise everybody is either inside or outside playing games and visiting or both.
I’ve enjoyed your videos and articles both on foods and budgeting and look forward to seeing what you have coming up.
Have a wonderful Christmas break!
Sarah says
December 28, 2013 at 9:24 amMy New Years resolution is to stop being a sinner, to rise above my sinful nature, by my new found free will to choose to always do right, and will save myself from hell.
Sometimes I wonder if New Years resolutions are really just works righteousness. I don’t mean what you guys are talking about… goals. Goals are fine because they take into consideration our own limits and weaknesses (the principles in Proverbs proves that we should be goal setters), but New Years resolutions forget that we are mere men (Psalm 9:20). Like we can somehow overcome the difficulties that God sends us (Amos 3:6) and we are more powerful and have more control over our lives than God Almighty. “I am going to battle this sickness and win!” Only God can do that! HE is the one who is in control, not us! And it’s all for His glory (Romans 9). But of course, he uses means of grace, like healthy eating and exercise; just like to be a healthy Christian requires reading of the Word, prayer, corporate worship and fellowship. But at the same time it is God who sustains us.
Anyway, that’s just my two cents! 🙂
lyss says
January 6, 2014 at 11:28 pmI’m not sure if I am misunderstanding your resolution, as it seems a little contradictory to your second paragraph. Maybe I am not reading what you wrote correctly, but please know that you cannot save yourself from hell…only believing that Jesus died for your sins, and accepting Him as your Savior will save you (or anyone) from hell. You don’t have to try to be sinless to stay out of hell. Jesus paid our sin debt and we only have to trust Him to save us and take us to heaven. We can’t resolve to be saved, and we can never be good enough. (Eph. 2:8-9) Being saved does not mean we will be sinless. On this earth we will continue to fight our sinful nature, but if we are saved, we have the Holy Spirit to help us choose what is right and live for Him. The Bible says we will still sin, but that we can confess and find forgiveness. (I John 1:9) Romans 6 is a good chapter about being free from sin. I pray it will help you! : )
Sorry, Stacy, if I’m straying from the topic, and I don’t know if you agree with me or not, so feel free to not post my comment…I know this is not the place for a theological discussion. ; ) I was just really saddened by this person’s desire to be saved, but maybe not knowing how to be.
Sarah says
January 10, 2014 at 8:43 amOh don’t worry. I was being sarcastic. That is why my next statement after my sarcastic one is, “Sometimes I wonder if New Years resolutions are really just works righteousness.”
Of course we can’t save ourselves!
Guest says
December 28, 2013 at 9:16 amI made a resolution in 2013 and kept it. To follow the 52 wk money savings challenge. I completed it this week. There was nothing stupid about it. You can rename it a goal if you want but a lot of resolve was needed to see it through.
Stacy says
December 30, 2013 at 10:25 pmCONGRATS on meeting an awesome “resolution” (or goal, whatever you want to call it). The point I was trying to make was that most of the time resolutions don’t work is because they don’t actually meet the criteria for being a decent goal. The 52 week money challenge is specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable and timebound. Thus…whether a goal or a resolution by name, it is a SMART goal by definition. Way to go for carrying out this tough challenge!