Comments on: 10 Reasons Not To Make New Year’s Resolutions This Year http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/ Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:42:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Psychologist Gerald A. Solfanelli http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-201381 Psychologist Gerald A. Solfanelli Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:03:43 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-201381 According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the most popular New Year's resolutions are losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising more regularly. Unfortunately, almost sixty percent of those who make resolutions give up, within the first six months. Nevertheless, chances are that if one does make a resolution, one will be ten times more likely to prevail over those without the resolve. Our feelings actually dictate our actions. In that regard, if your reader’s are like most people (including myself), they probably have brand name toothpaste at home. Although we intellectually know that generic toothpaste is basically the same as (and generally less expensive than) the brand name, we pay more for the brand name, because we feel that it will provide us with "fresher breath and whiter teeth." Advertisers tend to trick our emotional selves into feeling good about their product over their competitors’ or generic, often causing us to change our behavior to spend more for their product. Using this same basic "Psych 101" principle to one's advantage, can help empower oneself to create positive change, especially as it applies to resolutions. To succeed with resolutions, therefore, it is vital to pair enough emotional pain to the old behaviors, and enough emotional pleasure with the new behaviors. For example, instead of simply criticizing oneself for jeopardizing one’s health and wealth, a smoker might imagine how good it will feel to breathe easier as well as to have more energy, freedom and pride in the accomplishment. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the most popular New Year’s resolutions are losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising more regularly. Unfortunately, almost sixty percent of those who make resolutions give up, within the first six months. Nevertheless, chances are that if one does make a resolution, one will be ten times more likely to prevail over those without the resolve.

Our feelings actually dictate our actions. In that regard, if your reader’s are like most people (including myself), they probably have brand name toothpaste at home. Although we intellectually know that generic toothpaste is basically the same as (and generally less expensive than) the brand name, we pay more for the brand name, because we feel that it will provide us with “fresher breath and whiter teeth.”

Advertisers tend to trick our emotional selves into feeling good about their product over their competitors’ or generic, often causing us to change our behavior to spend more for their product. Using this same basic “Psych 101″ principle to one’s advantage, can help empower oneself to create positive change, especially as it applies to resolutions.

To succeed with resolutions, therefore, it is vital to pair enough emotional pain to the old behaviors, and enough emotional pleasure with the new behaviors. For example, instead of simply criticizing oneself for jeopardizing one’s health and wealth, a smoker might imagine how good it will feel to breathe easier as well as to have more energy, freedom and pride in the accomplishment.

]]> By: Kinky James http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-198684 Kinky James Wed, 02 Jan 2008 05:24:59 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-198684 Way too realistic... where's the post making me feel good about setting tons of goals?!?! I agree that New Year's resolutions often lack the planning and commitment. I've made a few commitments with barely a thought behind them... or it was the alcohol talking by midnight. Way too realistic… where’s the post making me feel good about setting tons of goals?!?!

I agree that New Year’s resolutions often lack the planning and commitment. I’ve made a few commitments with barely a thought behind them… or it was the alcohol talking by midnight.

]]> By: Roundup for week of 24 December 2007: Mercy Ships edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-197414 Roundup for week of 24 December 2007: Mercy Ships edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:22:23 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-197414 [...] Saving Advice turns conventional wisdom on its head and lists ten reasons not to make New Year’s Resolutions. [...] [...] Saving Advice turns conventional wisdom on its head and lists ten reasons not to make New Year’s Resolutions. [...]

]]> By: Susie http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-197164 Susie Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:09:20 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-197164 I almost always make resolutions, and almost always forget all about them by February. For me, the best reason not to make resolutions is the way they make me act before the new year actually begins. I've been eating like a complete pig during the last few weeks because I know January is coming and I'm planning on cutting back starting on 1/1/08. However, I do enjoy the clean slate feeling that comes with a new year, and even if I only diet for a few weeks, that's better than nothing, right? That will at least help me undo the damage I did in December. :) I almost always make resolutions, and almost always forget all about them by February. For me, the best reason not to make resolutions is the way they make me act before the new year actually begins. I’ve been eating like a complete pig during the last few weeks because I know January is coming and I’m planning on cutting back starting on 1/1/08. However, I do enjoy the clean slate feeling that comes with a new year, and even if I only diet for a few weeks, that’s better than nothing, right? That will at least help me undo the damage I did in December. :)

]]> By: greenday http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-195488 greenday Sun, 30 Dec 2007 02:12:24 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-195488 Did you actually read the article or is your response to just the title? He never says to "throw out the baby with the bathwater" - he said you should go about making them in a way that gives you a better chance to achieve them since there are problems the way most people make resolutions. Did you actually read the article or is your response to just the title? He never says to “throw out the baby with the bathwater” - he said you should go about making them in a way that gives you a better chance to achieve them since there are problems the way most people make resolutions.

]]> By: Dido http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-195468 Dido Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:41:59 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-195468 Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater! Just because most people go about making new years resolutions the wrong way doesn't mean that the practice of making them is wrong! Many people tend to see new years resolutions as an all-or-none phenomenon--"once I blow the diet, I might as well give up because I've failed." That's the wrong way to go about it. The New Years Resolution is the destination, and like all good journeys, you'll get there more efficiently if you have a roadmap, or plan. Also, there might be some detours and backtracking along the way, but that doesn't mean that you should give up on going where you planned. For some recent research on factors predicting success at keeping new years resolutions, see the article about Dr. Richard Wiseman's research at http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/dec/28/sciencenews.research Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! Just because most people go about making new years resolutions the wrong way doesn’t mean that the practice of making them is wrong!

Many people tend to see new years resolutions as an all-or-none phenomenon–”once I blow the diet, I might as well give up because I’ve failed.” That’s the wrong way to go about it. The New Years Resolution is the destination, and like all good journeys, you’ll get there more efficiently if you have a roadmap, or plan. Also, there might be some detours and backtracking along the way, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up on going where you planned.

For some recent research on factors predicting success at keeping new years resolutions, see the article about Dr. Richard Wiseman’s research at http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/dec/28/sciencenews.research

]]> By: fractalbrothers http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-195170 fractalbrothers Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:32:27 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-195170 my new year's resolution is to become morbidly obese, start smoking, and get 17 cavities. Now those are some new year's resolutions that I will feel great about failing! my new year’s resolution is to become morbidly obese, start smoking, and get 17 cavities.

Now those are some new year’s resolutions that I will feel great about failing!

]]> By: T.J. http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-194979 T.J. Sat, 29 Dec 2007 14:18:17 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-194979 True but cynical. Don't hate the game.... hate the player. The day we quit resolving to change is the day we quit. We need to encourage people more throughout the year. Ask people how their resolutions are going. Hold them more accountable. Not accomplishing all your resolutions doesn't mean failure.... quitting does. I've learned to make realistic resolutions. True but cynical. Don’t hate the game…. hate the player.

The day we quit resolving to change is the day we quit. We need to encourage people more throughout the year. Ask people how their resolutions are going. Hold them more accountable. Not accomplishing all your resolutions doesn’t mean failure…. quitting does.

I’ve learned to make realistic resolutions.

]]> By: Meg from The Bargain Queen & All About Appearances http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-194651 Meg from The Bargain Queen & All About Appearances Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:53:28 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-194651 Call me an idealist, but I sort of like New Year's resolutions. Sure, most resolutions are probably broken, but that doesn't mean that they're not worth making. And New Years gives us a good excuse to sit down and think about what we want to -- and can -- change. If you know you're not good at resolutions, then think small. Resolutions don't have to be drastic, life changing decisions. If you're curious, you can read some of my resolutions here: http://fashion.thebargainqueen.com/2007/12/start-your-new-year-right/ Call me an idealist, but I sort of like New Year’s resolutions.

Sure, most resolutions are probably broken, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not worth making. And New Years gives us a good excuse to sit down and think about what we want to — and can — change.

If you know you’re not good at resolutions, then think small. Resolutions don’t have to be drastic, life changing decisions.

If you’re curious, you can read some of my resolutions here: http://fashion.thebargainqueen.com/2007/12/start-your-new-year-right/

]]> By: baselle http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/28/10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year/#comment-194579 baselle Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:13:47 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/28/101986_10-reasons-not-to-make-new-years-resolutions-this-year.html#comment-194579 Another twist on the "too many people make NY resolutions at the same time". Often, the social structures that can help you succeed in your goals are also overworked, or they understand the game of resolutions, so they don't waste their time on you. For example, take the resolution of losing weight/getting physically fit. My first visit to a gym and to a trainer was in November. I could establish a good relationship with the trainer and gym because very few new people came & the trainers were hungry for new people. Great customer service! Fast forward to January and the gym's busy season - the trainer literally told me to sit tight & and if they all seemed a little short it was because they were working the "resolution crowd" who would be gone by February. They'll do what they can, but you'll be taken seriously only if you stay through February. Another twist on the “too many people make NY resolutions at the same time”. Often, the social structures that can help you succeed in your goals are also overworked, or they understand the game of resolutions, so they don’t waste their time on you.

For example, take the resolution of losing weight/getting physically fit. My first visit to a gym and to a trainer was in November. I could establish a good relationship with the trainer and gym because very few new people came & the trainers were hungry for new people. Great customer service! Fast forward to January and the gym’s busy season - the trainer literally told me to sit tight & and if they all seemed a little short it was because they were working the “resolution crowd” who would be gone by February. They’ll do what they can, but you’ll be taken seriously only if you stay through February.

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