New Year's Resolutions

For at least 2,000 years people have been making "new year's resolutions" Our historical record shows that they began in early Rome with the Roman god of gates and doors, Janus. Janus, from which Augustus Caesar derived the month of January, represented the god who could see the comings and goings (past & future), the god beginnings. The early view was that Janus governed the decision to "turn over a new leaf". Choosing a new path was seen as entering a new "door", and since Janus was the god of doors, it was only logical.

Statistical analysis shows us that only 10% of the population invites, promotes, and creates change. The other 80% somewhere between a slight and strong resistance to change. At the other end of the spectrum, approximately 10% of the population actually sabotages change in order to keep things the way they are. I belong to the 10% of people that constantly changes everything.

It has been said that change is easy when done by you, but difficult when done to you. I would agree with that.

I see new years resolutions as a way for the 80% to force themselves to change some things that need changing. Being in the 10% group, I think that it's better to change something when you see that it needs changing, but I realize that it doesn't work that way for everyone.

For those of you making new years resolutions here are a few suggestions to help you accomplish your goal.

Set a deadline for your goal.
Describe the steps you will take to achieve your goal.
Make an easy way to measure your goal.
Make your goal within your grasp.


For instance, "lose weight" or "lose 10 pounds" is not a good goal. "Lose 10 pounds by April 15th, by running 3 times a week and cutting out soda" is a good goal.

Give it a try. Good luck.