
Americans do have similar aims for resolutions and the top three are as follows according to a 12/31/21 Statista poll
1) Doing more exercise or improving fitness 50%
2) Losing weight 48%
3) Saving more money 44%
The strong biological tendency towards winter “nesting” seems obviously juxtaposed to the first two resolutions. Why set yourself up for failure? If you “buck up” to join the local gym to tackle those goals and escape the elements, aren’t you failing yourself on the third one? Those in warm climates, get after it! The rest of us should wait until the spring thaw to improve ourselves with all three.
Other results include:
4) Improving my diet 21%
5) Pursuing a career ambition 21%
6) Spending more time with my family 18%
7) Taking up a new hobby 14%
8) Something else 14%
9) Spending less time on social media 13%
10) Giving up smoking 10%
11) Decorating or renovating part of my home 10%
12) Volunteering or doing more charity work 10%
13) Raising money for charity 5%
14) Cutting down on drinking 4%
15) Quitting drinking entirely 2%
*16) Treat myself to a new Bungalow or Cottage and then embrace the lifestyle!
*Editor’s addition!
The holidays do lend themselves to excess so you can readily sense the declarations of recent guilt glaringly listed in goals 4),10),14 )and 15). I guess some Christmas parties did resume! For number 6), I am assuming Americans that made this vow weren’t able to actually celebrate together with family this past season. Or at least, that 18% doesn’t have an “Uncle Gus” 15!) who pontificates ad nauseum about religion and politics throughout his extended visit. Oh and I’m not particularly backing number 9) or how else would you be reading my insight such as……… those of you 11) pushing to decorate or renovate need to dig deeper!

Seriously, it’s a good list; though we shouldn’t tie the effort needed to fulfill it into a random time in our journey either. We certainly want to address our health issues as soon as possible so I am not advocating that anyone wait on making their well-being a prime focus. Any healthy change for the better is worthwhile any old month but personally planning new behavior in a way that lasts is paramount for the big win. We should choose individually “when to strive” so as to improve our chance of success. Shrinking our failure rate and maintaining these resolutions beyond January will help build toward confidence in future, valuable, challenges. If more of us keep with real progress, the greater good for the U.S. healthcare system and the Needy (12 and 13) are beautifully addressed. Take baby steps if you need to (8?) but keep moving forward to the beat of YOUR drum (7?). So what if the urge for a needed resolution comes in July?
Let’s put ourselves in position come next December where we have checked off boxes, resolutely working towards real individual and national growth THIS trip around the sun. Don’t let the fact that you haven’t followed through yet steal the optimism that you earned weathering 2021 (and “Uncle Gus” 15!). Also, how about no annual pass because of Covid for us. America, we can do better than an 8% success rate when it comes to lifting ourselves and the country higher by attacking our list all year. No pressure….when you can, but keep trying even if the “historically allotted window of action” has elapsed. Do take some time to regroup as needed but know it is EVER America’s time for improvement!!
JAH