Why people make a New Year Resolution…….?
A resolution is a promise to yourself.
As per “Dictionary. Com” a Resolution means – a Decision
or Determination. An Action plan to do something by steps or division. It’s a Latin
Word derived in 1350 – 1400. However as per Hindi – “Shabdkosh.com”, a Resolution
means - विभेदन / विश्लेषण / संकल्प / समाधान / प्रण / विचार etc. etc. (i.e, - Vibhedan - To divide something in steps / Vishleshan - to
analyze / Sankalpa – To promise something to God & yourself, with a set
action plan / Prana – A decision / Vichaar – A deep thought)
A New Year’s resolution is a promise a person makes for
the new year. Irrespective of what resolution or promise you commit to you, the
goal is to improve life or other equations in the coming year.
The tradition of New Year’s resolutions comes with Hindu –
Sanskrit system where not correct dates of origin of Hindu calendar is available
however the corrections happened in 3r Century based on Vedang Jyotish & final
reforms by Aryabhatt (in AD 499) & finally Bhaskar II (12th Century).
Hindus come with a promise to Harvest new crop with their Calendar start
(generally Chaitra Maas Shukla Paksha – Mid of March – April month). It proved
a promise year on year & always getting celebrated as a “Festival”, where
the basic ingredients are – Faith, Newness, Belief , Set of Actions, Enjoyment
& Celebration. Many of diversified Bhartiya states may call it with different
names, but the ideation is same – Resolution & Actions. (eg Same Celebration is named different at different Indian states. – Baisakhi, Ugadi,
Gudi Padwa, Vishu, Bohag Bishu, Pohela
Boishakh, Bestu Varas, Losong, Navresh, Cheti Chand etc). The roots of Calendar itself were designed as – Vaar (Days),
Tithi (Dates), Mas (Month), Ritu (Season), Nakshatra (Lunar Houses), Yoga (Unions
of Auspicious time sectors),….etc etc, that even one can plan or promise his
marriage or other occasion months back based on the Calendar. Hindus plan for
new crop, welcome & pray new Year / Samvatsar, Plan & promise their
functions, and Celebrate first day of year as a major Festival. Here Hindus I mentioned mean all living system of that sector & time, eg - Hindus, Sikhs, Boddh, Jains etc.
Again, in Europe, this custom of New Year resolution found long back in 153
B.C. Its said that Month January is named after Janus, a mythological Demi God
of early Rome. Janus had two faces — one looking forward, one looking backward.
This allowed him to look back on the past and forward toward the future. On
December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking backward into the old year and
forward into the new year. This became a symbolic time for Romans to make
resolutions for the new year and forgive enemies for troubles in the past. The
Romans would give gifts and make new promises, trusting Janus would grasp this
and bless them in the year ahead.
And hence the New Year’s resolution was born!
However, sometimes people might over-commit themselves at
the beginning of the year, making lots of resolutions or very hard ones, and
it’s difficult to keep up with them. That can make it seem like resolutions end
in the spring time. Have you ever made a New Years resolution? Resolutions can
come in many arrangement & forms. Some people make a promise to change a
bad habit, such as quitting drinking / smoking or controlling Anger etc. Whereas
other make a self - promise to start a positive habit, such as starting a wellness
program, better job assignments or start volunteering for their club / group or
community.
Research says approx 40% of people make their
resolutions. 55% of people either forget / on & off recall / or fail in
their resolution within 2nd day till 6 months. Still there are
people those achieved their last year resolution & set the bigger positive
plans coming year. Research confirms 35% of youth & approx. 20% of above
50s achieve their planned / set goals or promises. It proves a strong pass rate
– Where there is a will there is a way.
There are big bunch of people, those have their resolution
made by Dec 31s or Jan 1st during
a new year start, & seeing diminishing the same by Monthend or during the
first quarter. Why? Possible reason could be -
-
Because they don’t persuade
-
Its not a written Promise
-
An action plan is not
devised to accomplish it
-
There is no review time span
set
-
There is no Guider or Encourager
-
No Celebration decided
on achieving steps.
So,
a resolution generally start planning with lot of Management Gyan or by seeing
others – Promise for better parenting, start of wellness program, anger
management, Yoga & meditation, changing of job etc. etc…………; but many of
plans fall flat & your resolution resembles below statement –
“My goal
for 2015 is to accomplish the goals of 2014 which I should have done in 2013 because
I made a promise to me in 2012; which was planned in 2011……….”
You
know, what a BIG mistake generally everyone do. All make promises or resolution
on 31st Dec, as what they promise to start from 1st Jan.
Here is the catch……….
We
are still leaving every plans on tomorrow & tomorrow never comes………….
Second reason most resolutions fail is because they fail to be
crystal clear at start. Confusion is the gateway to complacency - the more confused, uncertain or unclear you
are about something, the less likely you will take action towards achieving it.
“I want to change my job……”, How can one think to change if even
CV is not prepared yet. Or if the comfort level is not broken. One need to do his
own last year doing’s SWOT analysis before he / she sets a promise or goal.
Decide based on your frozen Dreams / Your urgent needs / Present threats &
future plans etc.
So,
SMILE PLEASE and let us make plan today with an Action backup & review strategy
to it.
My
resolution for 2014 is –
…to
start walking everyday for my good health / Action – Start first walk in the
evening & then every morning / Keep record !
…to
shift back my home country by coming June / Action – Prepare your CV today &
start hunting / meet consultants / Adjust !
…to
Loose weight / Action – to set an exercise routine, prepare diet plan, Record Weekly
physical findings / Review-Change plan !
What
ever is your Promise, let it back up with an “doable” action. Be consistent on
your planned daily actions & make a fortnight / weekly check of your
progress report. Again, Progress Report should promise & show Progress.
Seems
studious – so what. Let it so. Keep in mind – A job well started, is half done.
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