Yes- Emma Heineman
Although studies show that only 10 percent of Americans succeed with their New Year’s Resolutions, it isn’t the outcome of these goals that matter. The decision to make a resolution in the first place demonstrates the desire of an individual to make a change: the first step in a long process of initiating actual change. Nobody is perfect, and the chances of messing up a few times along the way are high, but that doesn’t defeat the purpose of making a resolution.
Procrastination is a disease that plagues our society. Even if an individual wants to improve an area of their lives, they will often put it off until a time is more convenient. There will always be a more convenient time to do something, and sure, maybe next week or next month might seem like a better time to commit to a long term goal, but when that day arrives, another future date will still seem like a better option. By setting a specific day and time to begin working towards a resolution, New Year’s allows time for people to prepare in advance to stick with their goals.
Of course, throughout the year, individuals should still make well thought out goals with the intent of bettering themselves, but starting with a New Year’s Resolution certainly isn’t a bad start.
No- Alexander Martinie
Emma brought up a good point: only 10 percent of those who make New Year’s Resolutions actually succeed in them. So why make them in the first place? The short answer you shouldn’t. You will eventually give up on your resolution, so why even bother? People’s expectations for New Year’s Resolutions are unrealistic and improperly defined, among several other problems.
When people make a New Year’s Resolution, most of the time they choose things that they can’t possibly stick with. Like quitting bad habits cold turkey. Resolutions like this are likely to fail since they take large amounts of time and willpower to fulfill.
New Year’s Resolutions are unlikely to succeed, you might as well not try, but waiting until the last possible minute to decide to change may make you feel better about your past year. Procrastination may be a disease, but there is no way that I am not going to wait till the last minute to do something. That includes a feeble attempt at bettering myself. There is no better way to motivate yourself to be better than by having the societal pressure of having and keeping a New Year’s Resolution.
