2008 Woodie Awards
Tips on keeping your New Year's Resolution
By: Frank Wisswell
Issue date: 1/7/08 Section: Lifeline
Involving others in your New Years resolution is one surefire way to keep it.
According to psychcentral.com, a Web site devoted to mental health, enlisting others shows a more serious commitment in working toward achieving one's goals.
Farwell freshman Justine Schafer said she has not been able to keep any past New Years resolutions because she eventually forgets about them.
This year, Schafer plans to work together with a close friend to ensure she will accomplish her goal.
"I made my resolution with other people so they can help motivate me," Schafer said.
While New Years resolutions are annual rituals for some, others choose to avoid the tradition all together.
Rockford junior Tim Olson has made successful New Years resolutions in the past, but did not make one this year.
Olson said one way to make a New Years resolution work is to make sure you care about the resolution.
"Make it something that you actually want to do," he explained.
Olson said the key to success is making resolutions that are reasonable.
While the friends do not have a specific plan for reaching their goal, they said they do plan on working out three or four times a week.
Westphalia graduate student Jenna Miller said she has never followed her past New Year's resolutions.
Some personalities are better suited for the tradition, she said.
"I know it works for some people," she said. "It's a good thing if you can stick to it and you really want to make a change."
Miller said if she sees anything in herself she wants to change, she makes changes throughout the year. However, she said a new year gives students a good deadline and starting day.
"It's a good time to look back, it makes you accountable," Miller said.
Olson said what New Years resolutions represent is much more important than the date itself.
"It makes it like you're starting over," he said.
lifeline@cm-life.com
Five Tips for Keeping
a Resolution
1. Pick realistic goals
2. Be specific when defining your goals
3. Set a Schedule
4. Don't be upset by Setbacks
5. Enlist Additional Help or Support
According to psychcentral.com, a Web site devoted to mental health, enlisting others shows a more serious commitment in working toward achieving one's goals.
Farwell freshman Justine Schafer said she has not been able to keep any past New Years resolutions because she eventually forgets about them.
This year, Schafer plans to work together with a close friend to ensure she will accomplish her goal.
"I made my resolution with other people so they can help motivate me," Schafer said.
While New Years resolutions are annual rituals for some, others choose to avoid the tradition all together.
Rockford junior Tim Olson has made successful New Years resolutions in the past, but did not make one this year.
Olson said one way to make a New Years resolution work is to make sure you care about the resolution.
"Make it something that you actually want to do," he explained.
Olson said the key to success is making resolutions that are reasonable.
While the friends do not have a specific plan for reaching their goal, they said they do plan on working out three or four times a week.
Westphalia graduate student Jenna Miller said she has never followed her past New Year's resolutions.
Some personalities are better suited for the tradition, she said.
"I know it works for some people," she said. "It's a good thing if you can stick to it and you really want to make a change."
Miller said if she sees anything in herself she wants to change, she makes changes throughout the year. However, she said a new year gives students a good deadline and starting day.
"It's a good time to look back, it makes you accountable," Miller said.
Olson said what New Years resolutions represent is much more important than the date itself.
"It makes it like you're starting over," he said.
lifeline@cm-life.com
Five Tips for Keeping
a Resolution
1. Pick realistic goals
2. Be specific when defining your goals
3. Set a Schedule
4. Don't be upset by Setbacks
5. Enlist Additional Help or Support
