Michael, I don't recall any year when I set goals on paper. I agree that most people quickly give up on their New Year resolutions. The second Friday of January is known as "Quitter's Day" and is considered the benchmark for how long resolutions last.
Now, in retirement, I have some overarching principles:
FAMILY — although around 200 miles away in Pennsylvania, we frequently visit my mother-in-law, who is 90 years old. See extended family at least once a year, usually for Thanksgiving.
HEALTH — Eat better by reducing our intake of red meat. I keep my weight under what my driver's license says and exercise frequently. For my wife, that's walking in the neighborhood several times a week; for me, it's playing pickleball at twice a week.
TRAVEL — In addition to visiting family, I take four major vacations with my wife. Our current yearly schedule includes a week or more of vacation around mid-March, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
I asked Google, and its AI response was:
Forbes Health Survey
A 2023 survey found that only 6% of the 1,000 U.S. adults who set a New Year's resolution kept it past the year.
Citizen-Statesman
A survey found that only 22% of respondents followed their resolution by the end of three months, and only 2% were still following it by the end of seven months.
Sundried Survey
A survey found that 43% of people expect to give up their goal after just one month.
The type of goals set can also influence how long they last. According to a study published by PLoS One, approach-oriented goals (such as "I will exercise at least three times a week") are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals ("I will not eat junk food").
Many successful people I learn from have chosen a "Word of the Year".
Like you, I have been overwhelmed by "goals" in the past, and so this year, decided not to set any, and just ride the waves. Then I saw this idea, and immediately chose my word. I am motivated to move forward doing this one thing for this year. We'll see how that goes. Maybe I'll add a word in July. Who knows?
Whatever your desires for the year, I wish you peace and Godspeed.
Michael, I don't recall any year when I set goals on paper. I agree that most people quickly give up on their New Year resolutions. The second Friday of January is known as "Quitter's Day" and is considered the benchmark for how long resolutions last.
Now, in retirement, I have some overarching principles:
FAMILY — although around 200 miles away in Pennsylvania, we frequently visit my mother-in-law, who is 90 years old. See extended family at least once a year, usually for Thanksgiving.
HEALTH — Eat better by reducing our intake of red meat. I keep my weight under what my driver's license says and exercise frequently. For my wife, that's walking in the neighborhood several times a week; for me, it's playing pickleball at twice a week.
TRAVEL — In addition to visiting family, I take four major vacations with my wife. Our current yearly schedule includes a week or more of vacation around mid-March, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
I asked Google, and its AI response was:
Forbes Health Survey
A 2023 survey found that only 6% of the 1,000 U.S. adults who set a New Year's resolution kept it past the year.
Citizen-Statesman
A survey found that only 22% of respondents followed their resolution by the end of three months, and only 2% were still following it by the end of seven months.
Sundried Survey
A survey found that 43% of people expect to give up their goal after just one month.
The type of goals set can also influence how long they last. According to a study published by PLoS One, approach-oriented goals (such as "I will exercise at least three times a week") are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals ("I will not eat junk food").
Many successful people I learn from have chosen a "Word of the Year".
Like you, I have been overwhelmed by "goals" in the past, and so this year, decided not to set any, and just ride the waves. Then I saw this idea, and immediately chose my word. I am motivated to move forward doing this one thing for this year. We'll see how that goes. Maybe I'll add a word in July. Who knows?
Whatever your desires for the year, I wish you peace and Godspeed.