Happy New Year - Resolutions?
Happy New Year -Resolutions?
Do you make New Year's resolutions? Do you keep them?
Thought it would be fun to dive into the New Year, with thoughts about the New Year.
Did you know that January 1 has not always been celebrated as the New Year. It is actually only recently that the calender date January 1 was considered the 1st day of the New Year, until 1751 in England and Wales ( and all British dominions) the new year started on March 25 - one of the four quarter days, the change to January took place in 1600 in Scotland. Since then, January has been the first day of the year. During the Middle Ages several other days were variously taken as the beginning of the calendar year: March 1, March 25, September 1, December 25.
In modern times, with the expansion of Western culture to many places around the world during recent centuries, the Gregorian calendar has been adopted by many other countries as the official calendar, and the January 1 date of New Year has become global, even in countries with their own New Year celebrations on other days such as Israel, China and India. In Latin America there are a variety of traditions and superstitions surrounding these dates as omens for the coming year.
This, of course, is a brief summary, the list of various cultural differences is long and significant, I just thought it was interesting to point out, that it is cultural.
Onto the real discussion: Do you make resolutions each year? or not?
A New Year's resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects or the reforming of a behavior. We make these resolutions in anticipation of the New Year and New beginnings.
There are deeply rooted religious origins to this practice. The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.
The Romans began each year by making promises to the God Janus, for whom the month of January is named.
In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.
At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions.
Participation;
At the end of the Great Depression about a quarter of American adults claimed they formed New Year's resolutions. At the start of the 21 st century about 40% claim to. Is this the power of advertising at work? With modern advertising saturation, radio, TV, newspaper, there was a noticeable spike in people declaring "resolutions" and it became a mainstream conversation. Advertisers latched onto the New Beginnings and included it in their advertising.
The nature of the New Year's resolutions has changed during the most recent decades, with many resolutions being more superficial and appearance-oriented then in previous times. At the end of the 19th century, a typical teenage girl's New Years resolution was focused on good works: she resolved to become less self-centered, more helpful, a more diligent worker, and to improve her internal character. Body image, health, diet and desired possessions were rarely mentioned. At the end of the 20th century, the typical teenage girl's resolution is focused on looks: improvement of body, hair, makeup and clothing.
Success rate:
In 2007 a study by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study's participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from friends.
Quoting Fran Ra: "Resolutions are more sustainable when shared, both interns of with whom you share the benefits of your resolution, and with whom you share the path of maintaining your resolution" Peer support makes a difference a difference.
Resolution: yes or no
Whether you are one to make resolutions or not, it is a very personal choice. However, if you are going to make resolutions here is a smart guide:
SMART:
Specific - Be specific in your resolution, broad based goals without definition are hard to adhere to.
Measurable- How are you doing? Can you set smaller measurable goals, like a step ladder.
Attainable - be sure your goal is realistic. If the goal is say: I want to make a million dollars this year, but you are a cashier at McDonald's, that might be a little out of reach. Set a smaller goal, one that is more attainable. This will also help feed your "good" feelings, and help you stay on track.
Relevant - your resolution or goals should be relevant to your life.
Time based - set specific time frames, is your goal realistic in 1 year, 2 months, just think about it.
So here are some suggestions for New Year's resolutions for 2013:
Monitor your giving through GIVINGTrax
Read your vehicle's Owner's Manual
Get your vehicle on a regular Maintenance schedule.
Those are all pretty obtainable goals.
Happy New Year from all of the staff at the Bruce Titus Automotive Group.
You Can Count On Us in 2013
Do you make New Year's resolutions? Do you keep them?
Thought it would be fun to dive into the New Year, with thoughts about the New Year.
Did you know that January 1 has not always been celebrated as the New Year. It is actually only recently that the calender date January 1 was considered the 1st day of the New Year, until 1751 in England and Wales ( and all British dominions) the new year started on March 25 - one of the four quarter days, the change to January took place in 1600 in Scotland. Since then, January has been the first day of the year. During the Middle Ages several other days were variously taken as the beginning of the calendar year: March 1, March 25, September 1, December 25.
In modern times, with the expansion of Western culture to many places around the world during recent centuries, the Gregorian calendar has been adopted by many other countries as the official calendar, and the January 1 date of New Year has become global, even in countries with their own New Year celebrations on other days such as Israel, China and India. In Latin America there are a variety of traditions and superstitions surrounding these dates as omens for the coming year.
This, of course, is a brief summary, the list of various cultural differences is long and significant, I just thought it was interesting to point out, that it is cultural.
A New Year's resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects or the reforming of a behavior. We make these resolutions in anticipation of the New Year and New beginnings.
There are deeply rooted religious origins to this practice. The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.
The Romans began each year by making promises to the God Janus, for whom the month of January is named.
In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.
At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions.
Participation;
At the end of the Great Depression about a quarter of American adults claimed they formed New Year's resolutions. At the start of the 21 st century about 40% claim to. Is this the power of advertising at work? With modern advertising saturation, radio, TV, newspaper, there was a noticeable spike in people declaring "resolutions" and it became a mainstream conversation. Advertisers latched onto the New Beginnings and included it in their advertising.
The nature of the New Year's resolutions has changed during the most recent decades, with many resolutions being more superficial and appearance-oriented then in previous times. At the end of the 19th century, a typical teenage girl's New Years resolution was focused on good works: she resolved to become less self-centered, more helpful, a more diligent worker, and to improve her internal character. Body image, health, diet and desired possessions were rarely mentioned. At the end of the 20th century, the typical teenage girl's resolution is focused on looks: improvement of body, hair, makeup and clothing.
In 2007 a study by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study's participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from friends.
Quoting Fran Ra: "Resolutions are more sustainable when shared, both interns of with whom you share the benefits of your resolution, and with whom you share the path of maintaining your resolution" Peer support makes a difference a difference.
Resolution: yes or no
Whether you are one to make resolutions or not, it is a very personal choice. However, if you are going to make resolutions here is a smart guide:
SMART:
Specific - Be specific in your resolution, broad based goals without definition are hard to adhere to.
Measurable- How are you doing? Can you set smaller measurable goals, like a step ladder.
Attainable - be sure your goal is realistic. If the goal is say: I want to make a million dollars this year, but you are a cashier at McDonald's, that might be a little out of reach. Set a smaller goal, one that is more attainable. This will also help feed your "good" feelings, and help you stay on track.
Relevant - your resolution or goals should be relevant to your life.
Time based - set specific time frames, is your goal realistic in 1 year, 2 months, just think about it.
So here are some suggestions for New Year's resolutions for 2013:
Monitor your giving through GIVINGTrax
Read your vehicle's Owner's Manual
Get your vehicle on a regular Maintenance schedule.
Those are all pretty obtainable goals.
Happy New Year from all of the staff at the Bruce Titus Automotive Group.
You Can Count On Us in 2013
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Bruce Titus Automotive Group
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