SURVEY SAYS: 2013 New Year’s Resolutions

December 24, 2012 – Last week I asked NewsDash readers if they will be making New Year’s resolutions for 2013.

Nearly seven in 10 (69%) responding readers indicated they will be and 31% said they will not.  Thirty-seven percent said they made New Year’s resolutions for 2012 and nearly one-quarter (24%) of those who did reported they kept their resolutions all year. However, 41% said they didn’t make it past January  and 23% gave up sometime during the year, while 12% reported they kept most, but not all, of their resolutions in the past year.  

As for 2013 resolutions, the majority (54%) of responding readers will resolve “to exercise more.” Forty-two percent selected “to lose weight,” and one-third (33%) chose “to be healthier in general.” Then came the financial resolutions; 29% will resolve “to save more in general,” 25% “to cut back on spending” and 21% “to save more for retirement.”  

Thirteen percent each selected “to take a vacation,” “to spend more time with family,” “to improve relationships with family” and “to spend more time with friends.” Eight percent each will resolve “to improve relationships with friends” and “to perform better at work.” Four percent selected “to become more spiritual.”  

Some responding readers suggested other resolutions, including: 

  • “to not make any resolutions,” 
  • “Try one new recipe a month from my vast collection of cookbooks,” 
  • “To be less restrictive when my staff requests leave,” 
  • “to save for honeymoon!” 
  • “Consult with a financial adviser/planner,”  and 
  • “All of the above – one’s gotta stick. Right?” 

 

In the verbatim comments, readers pointed out that decisions to improve oneself can be made at any time, and many were negative in general about New Year’s resolutions. Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who said: “The only one that lasted the entire year was the year I resolved to never do another sit up!” 

Verbatim   

The idea to improve yourself should not be an annual event, but rather an ongoing continuous process. 

 

When I resolve to do something, I do it, no matter what time of year it is. I find making resolutions for the sake of making resolutions on New Year's to be ineffectual and somewhat superficial. 

 

waste of time 

 

The only one that lasted the entire year was the year I resolved to never do another sit up! 

 

It’s always good to set goals, even if they are a stretch to attain. Even if you get only partway there, you've made significant progress. 

 

New Year Resolutions should be from June to June. To [heck] with Oct (Halloween) thru Feb or March/April Valentine's Day - Easter). So one of my resolutions is to start over again in June each year. 

 

Waste of time...like the TV talking heads predicting who will win a sporting event, predicting the weather, and trusting the government to make things better. 

 

Not so much resolutions as things I should be doing every day anyway! 

 

In 1999 I resolved to never again make a New Year's resolution. I'm happy to say that I've been able to stick with it ever since. 

 

I'm usually pretty good with New Year resolutions, but last year's got me good. I said I was going to get organized with my personal finances...I think I expected too much too fast. This year I'm making a plan of action to slowly get better. 

 

I'm not making "New Year's resolutions" because I have already started making the changes I want to see. Starting out with a BANG on a specific day is just too much pressure! 

 

Let’s start 2012 off with a lot of pressure! 

 

I will be willing to become willing about becoming willing to be willing. Seriously, I will be. 

 

A number of years ago I made a New Year's resolution to not make New Year's resolutions. Turns out to be the only one I ever kept! 

 

I resolved not to make a new year's resolution, and with much time, patience, and effort, managed to keep it! 

 

Years ago, I resolved not to make New Year's resolutions. But if you make a resolution not to make a resolution, have you made a resolution or not? And were you successful at keeping that resolution if you did? 

 

 

NOTE: Responses reflect the opinions of individual readers and not the stance of Asset International or its affiliates. 

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