“I want to excel in my academics this year and achieve ninety-five and above for every subject. “
“I want to learn how to program and write codes so I can create an app. “
“I want to participate in science fair and create an invention for my project.”
These are all commonly found on a sheet of paper entitled ‘New Years Resolutions’. Yet, when one writes these goals down on a sheet of paper, does it really mean the actions will be executed the next year, or has a new year resolution transformed into a wish rather than a goal?
The denotation of a new year’s resolution is, according to Cambridge Dictionaries Online, ‘a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year’. However, what does society connotate this phrase as? In today’s environment many youth can, almost instinctively, say ‘no’ to the question ‘have you fulfilled your new year’s resolutions this year’. A youth interviewee who wishes to remain anonymous is quoted:
“No I haven’t ever completed my new years resolution… I always fail during the middle of the year as I can’t sustain my resolution. “
One might inquire: why can’t people sustain the progress of a goal? One simple and straightforward answer can be the culprit of many problems in today’s society: laziness. Although it is a harsh and direct accusation to people who may not be lazy and toil their hardest consistently, it is difficult for many to uphold their resolves when they have already ensconced themselves in their habits.
“Sometimes you know you are close to breaking a habit, but then you submit to temptations or other things,” says Jasper, a student who has completed many of her resolutions but can’t finish some as they are hard to sustain.
There are still, however, people who do fulfill their goals as they set smaller, more achievable targets, making it easier to achieve what they set for themselves.
“Yes I have fulfilled my new year’s resolutions, although most of the things that I have completed throughout the year are pretty basic things. These include going to sleep earlier, completing homework right when I get it and not procrastinating. But those are the simple things that might not affect me that much. Broader things that might affect me include spending time with my family more and maybe being able to relax a little more instead of being so stressed all the time.” Justin says, answering to an inquiry.
Overall, new year’s resolutions aren’t a lost cause, however, if slacking becomes a habit, the goals one sets for oneself may be harder to achieve. With smaller goals and a persevering attitude, these resolutions can and will come true.
