Taking stock as we move into 2015

Posted

 

Fran Ostendorf, EditorAs we turn the calendar from December to January and move on to 2015, is change on your mind? Are you thinking about making a few resolutions?

We live in a world that mixes secular with religious. So if you made your resolutions before the start of 5775, maybe it’s time to take another look and refresh or renew your commitment. And if you skipped that examination, perhaps now is the time to think about what you might do to improve yourself, your life and the world around you.

In this issue of The Voice, you can read about health and wellness and about New Year’s resolutions. Even our D’var Torah focuses on resolutions. But do you know how many people make resolutions – and how long do they keep them?

According to Statistic Brain research from 2014, 45 percent of all Americans regularly make New Year’s resolutions, 17 percent infrequently make them and 38 percent absolutely never make them. Statistic Brain, a group that researches all sorts of interesting facts and figures, cites the University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology as their source. As for success rates in achieving resolutions? Only about 8 percent of all resolution makers are successful in achieving all their goals; 49 percent are infrequently successful and 24 percent fail to keep their resolutions.

No wonder we get discouraged. The success rate, the researchers found, was dependent on people actually making resolutions. According to Statistic Brain, “People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.”

So that’s good news. And it means to get anywhere, you have to start by declaring a goal. Things rarely happen without effort in this resolution business.

The top 10 resolutions for 2014 should come as no surprise to anyone:

1.            Lose Weight.

2.            Get Organized.

3.            Spend Less, Save More.

4.            Enjoy Life to the Fullest.

5.            Stay Fit and Healthy.

6.            Learn Something Exciting.

7.            Quit Smoking.

8.            Help Others in Their Dreams.

9.            Fall in Love.

10.          Spend More Time with Family.

As for who keeps those resolutions, the young do a better job: 39 percent of people in their 20s achieve their resolutions each year as compared with 14 percent of people over 50.

And one final statistic that I think is important to the whole discussion:

•                             The number of people maintaining resolutions though the first week: 75 percent;

•                             Through two weeks, 71 percent;

•                             One month, 64 percent;

•             Six months, 46 percent.

I found that last number interesting since we so often hear how many people don’t stick with a New Year’s resolution. I’d say that the fact that almost half the people surveyed were still maintaining those resolutions at six months is pretty impressive. Of course, it means a lot of us fall off the wagon in the final six months of the year.

I have to admit that I fall into the category of “infrequent” resolution makers. Years ago, each family member would write resolutions on a piece of paper and seal the envelope. At the end of the year, we’d open the envelope and look at what we’d accomplished. I found that discouraging at best. And, frankly, I hated sharing my list. So you aren’t going to read about what I’ve resolved to do now or at any other time.

But I can recommend that you keep a few things in mind as you think about your personal to-do list. None of these ideas is unique. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on this lately.

Share. If that works for you, by all means, find a buddy, especially if you are trying to keep up an exercise program or work on healthy eating. Researchers have found that sharing your resolutions with others greatly improves your chance for success.

Shop in the app store. This is a major, modern-day change. I can’t believe the number of apps available for your smartphone that will help you keep whatever you’re resolving to do. Whether you need to track finances, a diet, a list or even tzedakah, there’s probably an app for that. Reminders work.

Remember tzedakah. Really, it should be a part of your list. The opportunities are unlimited. From Jboost to the food pantry and working with seniors or youngsters, there’s a way to give back to the community that will enhance your life and the lives of those around you. Everyone will feel better.

Challenge yourself, but be realistic. Do you really need a dozen goals when you know you can only accomplish a few? Or, perhaps if it is really important, just one.

That’s up to you. But making a plan for a better year is probably a good idea.  Try it!