By Cody Sims
Steve Jobs once said, “For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”
While Steve Jobs may have questioned himself about change religiously, not too many people can say they do the same. Jan. 1, however, is the day most people tend to take a step back, look at their own lives and believe it is time for a resolution.
Whether it be to shed a few pounds, save money, work on personality flaws or get more serious about whatever their personal goals are, people tend to associate the New Year with a new beginning.
Yes, New Year’s resolutions are a great idea in theory, but how many people actually keep their word as that new year quickly gets old? You guessed right, not too many. According to research done by the University of Scranton, only eight percent of people achieve their New Year’s goals.
The gym always seems to be crowded right after New Year’s, but by February all of the “dedicated” people seem to slowly disappear.
Waiting on a treadmill Jan. 2 suddenly turns into every treadmill in the gym being free. Laziness is the reason many people tend not to stick to various personal New Year’s resolutions. In order for change to occur, your mindset has to change. Saying you want to do something does not mean it will happen.
First you must set an attainable goal, then make a plan to achieve it. John Norcross, a professor at Scranton, told Forbes, “We say if you can’t measure it, it’s not a very good resolution because vague goals beget vague resolutions.”
Shortly after the ball drops, the confetti is all picked up and the parties are over. People tend to quickly forget about what it takes to achieve their goals. Austen Hartwell, FCRH ’16 says, “People don’t usually stick to their New Year’s resolution. By them failing, in turn, it can make them feel more hopeless about ever achieving what they originally set out to do.”
In actuality, Jan. 1 is just one ordinary day like the other 364. Why wait for that day to change your routine? If you feel like there is something to work on (and there always is), why associate this notion of a “resolution” with New Years? People need to wake up and realize that even though change is oftentimes more uncomfortable than not, it is necessary.
Each day will get better as long as you do. A new year is not necessary to take a look at yourself and figure out how you can improve. Stop comparing yourself to A-list celebrities, the Einstein in your class or your friend who seems to effortlessly have it all. Other people are not you, and you are not other people. Why must we be reminded by a specific holiday to realize what is necessary?
We can aim only to become the best version of ourselves, and New Year’s is not the only time to work on it. Personal goals can be set and worked on any given day. In a society where we want everything the fastest and easiest way possible, what needs to be kept in mind is significant self-improvement can occur only with time and dedication.
