The Great New Year’s Resolution Debate
By Sylvie Edwards | Are you contemplating making a new year's resolution? Well you are not alone. Here's my take on this ritual.
By Sylvie Edwards for Sankarsingh-Gonsalves Productions
Ah, New Year’s resolutions.
That time-honored tradition where we promise ourselves that this year will be different as opposed to all the previous years when we miserably gave up. This year, we will finally become the paragons of virtue we’ve always dreamed of being. But, like a gym membership in February, our enthusiasm often dwindles to nothing. Let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious aspects of making New Year’s resolutions. See if any of this resonates with you…
Let’s Start with the Good
A Fresh Start – There’s something undeniably appealing about a fresh start. We all dream of it. January 1st feels like a blank page in a brand-new notebook, just waiting for us to fill it with our hopes, dreams, and slightly unrealistic goals. It’s a chance to leave behind the mistakes of the past year and start anew. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of a new notebook?
Motivation Boost – The beginning of the year is like a motivational pep rally. Everyone is pumped up, ready to tackle their goals with the fervor of a caffeinated squirrel. We’re not going to end up like last year. Gyms are packed, bookstores are sold out of self-help books, and kale sales skyrocket. It’s a time when anything seems possible, even if that “anything” includes giving up chocolate. The only thing I will never put on that list – coffee. It’s probably the reason I am so hyped out about the new year anyhow.
Goal Setting – Setting goals is a healthy practice. It gives us direction and purpose. Whether it’s losing weight, learning a new skill, or finally organizing that junk drawer, having a resolution can help us focus our efforts. And let’s be honest, without goals, we’d probably just spend our evenings binge-watching TV shows and eating snacks. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…
Now with the Bad
Unrealistic Expectations – One of the biggest pitfalls of New Year’s resolutions is setting the bar too high. We decided that we were going to run a marathon, learn Mandarin, and become a gourmet chef all in the same year. By February, we’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why we ever thought we could do all that. It’s like trying to climb Mount Everest in flip-flops. Best to do it in smaller chunks.
Pressure and Stress – Resolutions can sometimes feel like a self-imposed pressure cooker. We start to feel guilty if we don’t stick to our goals perfectly. Miss a day at the gym? Eat a cookie? Suddenly, we’re spiraling into a pit of self-doubt and shame. We never seem to be good enough to do it. It’s important to remember that progress isn’t always linear, and it’s okay to have setbacks. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a six-pack.
The Bandwagon Effect – There is a certain social pressure to make resolutions because everyone else is doing it. It’s like the peer pressure of adulthood. We might find ourselves making resolutions that we don’t actually care about, just to fit in. And let’s be real if you’re only learning to play the guitar because your co-worker is, you’re probably not going to stick with it. Remember, the best-kept resolution are the ones that we make with ourselves and not with the entire office.
You Have to Laugh About it…
The Gym Phenomenon – Every January, gyms are packed with enthusiastic newcomers. By March, they are the equivalent of a ghost town. It’s like a natural phenomenon that scientists should study. I am sure there is money to be made here by someone willing to dig deeper. The influx of people in January is so predictable that regular gym-goers have a name for it: “Resolutioners.” It’s a time of year when finding an empty treadmill is like finding a unicorn.
The Overzealous Planner – There’s always that one person who goes all out with their resolutions. They have color-coded charts, spreadsheets, and a detailed action plan (yep, that tends to be me). By mid-January, they’re already behind schedule and frantically trying to catch up. It’s hard to “fudge” a schedule when it’s yours. I wonder if highlighter companies see their sales increase during that period.
The Vague Resolution – Some people make resolutions that are so vague, they’re almost meaningless. “Be happier,” “get healthier,” “live life to the fullest” and my personal favourite – World Peace. These are great sentiments, but without a concrete plan, they’re hard to achieve and even harder to gauge if they were met. It’s like trying to hug air.
In the end, New Year’s resolutions are a mixed bag. They can be a great way to motivate ourselves and set goals, but they can also lead to unrealistic expectations and unnecessary stress. The key is to find a balance. Set achievable goals, be kind to yourself, and remember that it’s okay to have a few laughs along the way. After all, life is too short to take too seriously. So, whether you stick to your resolutions or abandon them by February, just remember to enjoy the journey. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself a little closer to becoming the person you want to be. Or at least, you’ll have some funny stories to tell.
Regardless of what you decide to do this year. Have a Happy New Year!
About the author: Sylvie Edwards has been involved in Project Management in several industries for more than 25 years. She is a post secondary #educator, and a blogger on all things related to #projectmanagement. Sylvie is a two term past President and current member on the board of directors for the PMI-DHC (Project Management Institute- Durham Highlands Chapter). She had the honour of being named Fellow of the Project Management Association of Canada (FPMAC).
