Lose weight
Manage debt
Save money
Get a better job
Get fit
Get a better education
Drink less alcohol
Quit smoking now
Reduce stress overall
Reduce stress at work
Take a trip
Volunteer to help others
These are the 12 most popular New Year’s resolutions according to USA.gov (tagline: “Government Made Easy”—insert your own joke here).
The concept of New Year’s resolutions starts in 153 B.C., when Julius Caesar placed the Roman god Janus—for whom the month of January is named—at the beginning of the calendar. Janus became the symbol of resolutions because he had two faces: one looking back on past events and one looking ahead to the future.
So why do we make resolutions? For some, the act is meaningless. For others, however, it’s the opportunity to make changes and improve their lives.
But how do we make resolutions stick so that we can experience the benefits?
Try this: Make yourself a promise instead of a resolution. Keeping resolutions is like keeping secrets, easier said than done. A resolution is a decision to do something, but a promise is a commitment. And if your promise is reasonable and realistic, then it’s doable. Most importantly, promises are forgiving—if you break them (and everyone does), you can always try again.
A different drum | The resolution
Lose weight
Manage debt
Save money
Get a better job
Get fit
Get a better education
Drink less alcohol
Quit smoking now
Reduce stress overall
Reduce stress at work
Take a trip
Volunteer to help others
These are the 12 most popular New Year’s resolutions according to USA.gov (tagline: “Government Made Easy”—insert your own joke here).
The concept of New Year’s resolutions starts in 153 B.C., when Julius Caesar placed the Roman god Janus—for whom the month of January is named—at the beginning of the calendar. Janus became the symbol of resolutions because he had two faces: one looking back on past events and one looking ahead to the future.
So why do we make resolutions? For some, the act is meaningless. For others, however, it’s the opportunity to make changes and improve their lives.
But how do we make resolutions stick so that we can experience the benefits?
Try this: Make yourself a promise instead of a resolution. Keeping resolutions is like keeping secrets, easier said than done. A resolution is a decision to do something, but a promise is a commitment. And if your promise is reasonable and realistic, then it’s doable. Most importantly, promises are forgiving—if you break them (and everyone does), you can always try again.
Happy New Year.
Download Finale “A Pipe Dream and a Promise”
A Different Drum is an ongoing series that is inspired by Tom’s playlist.