My experience is, it's the kiss of death. If I say "I'm going to (or not going to) do (whatever)" it's a surefire guarantee that it won't turn out that way.

Yes. For example, I’ll start working out in February after the quitters quit. That was 4 or 5 years ago and still working out.

I've never kept one because I don't make them. It always felt artificial to me; if I'm going to resolve to do something, it has nothing to do with the New Year.

I do not make a New Year's resolution.

Does not make sense for me to do this on the first day of the year, but rather I make a resolution ( to do or not do something ) the best way I can every day of the year as I make self-corrections in my life.

I have a philosophy to learn at least one new thing everyday. This can be knowledge or something to make myself better.

Has always worked at least for me ...

I've never made one. If I want or need to start doing something, I'll do it when the time is right. The date 1\1 holds no special significance.

Actually, it does. You're going to tell me that as the year comes to an end, you are not compelled to look back a bit in retrospection, and assess what you might do better in the coming year? Really? You don't think about the year that's passed? What, you never do it? Or you do it in August or May? Of course the year coming to an end reminds us of where we are in time.

How about this- I'm posing this question to those who have actually made New Year's resolutions. That was implicit in my question.

Yup. I quit smoking. I have been cigarette-free (actually, all forms of tobacco) for 38 years.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Actually, it does. You're going to tell me that as the year comes to an end, you are not compelled to look back a bit in retrospection, and assess what you might do better in the coming year? Really? You don't think about the year that's passed? What, you never do it? Or you do it in August or May? Of course the year coming to an end reminds us of where we are in time.

How about this- I'm posing this question to those who have actually made New Year's resolutions. That was implicit in my question.

I'm not sure if you wanted an answer based on your last sentence, but my birthday each year triggers that kind of reflection for me. That year number changing has that effect for me; the calendar year number does not.

Never kept a one of them.
I can't remember the last time I made one because it just didn't happen.
Like you said, kiss of death.

Yes. I promised to never lie.

I've made them. But they never last. I've also observed others fall short on them. Back when I was into body building, I dreaded January. That's when the gym would be invaded by all sorts of new people with bad habits, technique and grunting. There were sometimes lines for weight stations and discourteous use of equipment. Young women would show up with literally string bikini clothing and men would stare at them. Anyway, week by week the crowd would thin out until only the regulars were left. Usually by end of January things were back to normal.

When I started strength training it was at the end of the season for a sport I played. I was tired of being a weak link and being tooled because of it. I determined I would work until the next season and be one of the most dynamic on my teams. I did it not as a new year resolution. I did it as a personal determination. So it stuck and I strength trained naturally for four years. I ended my sport on my terms.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Actually, it does. You're going to tell me that as the year comes to an end, you are not compelled to look back a bit in retrospection, and assess what you might do better in the coming year? Really? You don't think about the year that's passed? What, you never do it? Or you do it in August or May? Of course the year coming to an end reminds us of where we are in time.

How about this- I'm posing this question to those who have actually made New Year's resolutions. That was implicit in my question.

I respond as I believe you maybe responding to the post following mine ...

Yes, everyday does matter in looking back in retrospection. I agree. And the reason I do not use just the one day, January 1st, as the only day making a resolution.

Every single day I wake up thing back on what could I have done better. Everyday. My plate is literally full, beyond anyone's imagination except for a handful of folks ( a couple of who are on this forum). It is this reflection of the past that helps guide me in the future.

I now understand the clarity of your question on your follow-up post ... of "those who have actually made New Year's resolutions.".

If this is the only mistake I have made today, then in the whole scheme of things it is barely a hiccup.

From the last paragraph of Desiderata :

"And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

By Max Ehrmann © 1927"

No, I think not. Not really.

I've made many new years resolutions to exercise and get in better shape.

I fail.

I really dislike exercising on a regular basis. I realize as we age it becomes more and more a necessity, but I still don't like it.

I now realize I need to get busy on a regular basis.

The problem with newcomers to the gym and exercise is that you get the shit beat out of you by the so called trainers. You're out of shape, overweight, and the first time you meet the trainer they work you so hard, from head to toe, that you can barely walk out to the car and limp home, gasping the whole way. That discourages 95% of folks and they either don't come back or drop out very soon.

That's silly.

I have now found a place that only allows age 50+ people in and the trainers realize to take it slow and easy because they themselves are seniors, and they are better educated in such with other seniors.

We'll see how this works out for me, I have high hopes for it, and have the best of intentions on keeping this new years resolution.

Many years ago I resolved to not make pledges for the new year. It's been working just fine.

Yes I have, a few times. Each time was a business decision, never a personal one. Just made me realize that. Each one was an improvement that made my company better.

I grew up around the Washington, D.C. area. I had been reading The Washington Post for at least 50 years. It finally got so bad, I could not stand it anymore. I made a New Years Resolution about 3 years ago to never read it again. I have kept that resolution. I miss the local news and some of the reviews of books, and movies, and restaurants. But I love not paying them to read their political garbage.

I do reflect on the past year. The only resolution I make is to try to make the upcoming year better than the last. Whether or not that happens is often out of my hands though.

One.

Don’t try to reason with unreasonable people.

I made that one a few years back. It’s stood me well.

Yes. My company had a seminar about how to identify and report sexual harassment around early December.

My New Year's resolution was to be politically incorrect for the rest of my life.

I've succeeded beyond my wildest expectations.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
One.

Don’t try to reason with unreasonable people.

I made that one a few years back. It’s stood me well.

I don't recall making any resolutions, at least in the last few decades or so, but this one sounds like a good one to make and try to keep.
I'd say I'm already about half way there, maybe a little more but there's always someone that I have to remind myself to not engage with, especially when the issue and person don't really mean all that much to me.