Most of us make New Year’s resolutions. A third of us will break them before the end of January and four out of five will break them eventually. In one survey by Franklin Covey only 23% actually successfully achieve their New Year’s resolutions. With such dismal outcomes, why do we make them at all? We’d like to do better but not really? No one expects us to keep our resolve? We’ve had a few drinks so we’re not accountable? The resolution is too large to have a chance for success? Or are we really making New Year’s vacillations?
The British novelist Aleister Crowley wrote in his novel Moonchild “May the New Year bring you courage to break your resolutions early! My own plan is to swear off every kind of virtue, so that I triumph even when I fall!” My advice is more in line with the saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” I believe we all hope for better and better is not only possible but also achievable. Since life is a journey and not a destination, we’re more likely to be successful living it one step at a time. I feel myself vacillating less already.
