Happy 2015, everyone!
Saying goodbye to 2014 means that it's time to put all the struggles of the past twelve months into the memory box and not look back. That's the foundation of the infamous "New Year's resolution"- we leave something negative in one year, and replace it with something positive in the next.
In theory, our resolutions shouldn't be THAT hard to stick to. If we can dream it, we can do it, right? Wrong. According to Forbes.com and the University of Scranton, 92% of New Year's resolutions fail. NINETY TWO. That leaves just 8% that can say they accomplished their goal. Let that sink in.
What's more, the resolutions most likely to fail are the most common. Chances are you or someone you know saw that stroke of midnight as a stroke of inspiration to lose weight, be healthier, save money, do better in school, be a better person, or something similar. #Fitspiration, am I right?
Here's how you can be one of the 8%.
Old resolution:
Be healthier/Lose weight.
New resolution:
Learn to cook.
Once you learn what actually goes into your food, you will be better able to make healthier decisions when you're out.
Stop buying chips.
Or candy. Or cookies. Or butter. Or spray cheese. Pick the single worst thing in your arsenal and vow to never buy it again. Bonus points if you can replace it with something healthy, but hey, baby steps first.
Old resolution:
Save Money.
New resolution:
Maintain a personal finance folder.
Learn to use Excel if you haven't already, and keep track of your spending and income. Balance your checkbook and familiarize yourself with the basics of personal finance. You'll be able to see where you're spending the most money and adjust your behaviors accordingly, rather than cutting back on things that don't affect your budget as much.
Old resolution:
Do better in school.
New resolution:
Get a better education.
No, I'm not talking about grades. I'm talking about life. Learn to manage your time, work towards goals in the distance future, and make use of college's ample opportunities for self-improvement. Spend time with driven, successful people, so that you can pick up on their habits. This will ultimately help your grades more than any New-Year's-inspired study schedule will. After all, as Mark Twain once said, "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education," and neither should you.
Old resolution:
Be a better person.
New resolution:
Be the best version of yourself.
Figure out who you are, who you want to be, and calculate the difference between the two. Make sure you're specific and honest, and write it down. Find ways to hold yourself accountable for each thing. Do you want to keep a journal? Set a reminder on your phone to write a few sentences every night. Do you want to dress more professionally for class (and not wear the same pair of leggings every day)? Pick out a few outfits each weekend and wear them throughout the week. Maybe you want to be more cultured, or try something new. Take the first step right away, and get the project moving before you have time to reconsider.
Good luck everyone, I have faith in you all :).
