A New Year’s resolution is a promise we make for the new year. Regardless of what resolution you commit to, the goal is to improve life in the coming year. Some people make a promise to change a bad habit, such as quitting smoking, others make a promise to develop a new, positive habit, such as an exercise program, or wasting less food. The most common reason for failing a New Year’s resolution is setting unrealistic goals, or not to keep track of progresses. By making your resolutions realistic, there is a greater chance that you will keep them throughout the year. So, are you ready to make some New Year’s resolutions?

What are the most common New Year’s resolutions?

quitting drinking:This is what many people suffering from a bad hangover say after a wild party.
getting a new job:Is also a very popular resolution, mostly if you are not happy with your current job.
getting out of debt: Paying off debts is also a very popular resolution at the end of the year.
saving money: Improving finances is a resolution that about 14% of people make every year.
getting organized: Time management and better organization is another important thing many people with to improve.
spending more time with family: Unfortunately, only a small number of people can maintain this goal.
enjoying life to the fullest: This resolution sounds very pleasant, but the failure rate is very high.
travelling more: Some of the first things we tend to think of in a new year are those exotic destinations and foreign countries we would love to see.
improving a relationship: Soon after the holidays, when the festive spirit is over, reconciling with family and friends is the last thing people care for.
learning a new language: Learning a new language is a good idea and this resolution ranks among those that quite a high percentage of people actually keep. Well … I told you!
spending less time on Facebook: Spending too much time on Facebook and other social networks is a considerable problem for surprising number of people these days.
spending less time watching TV: The only reason why people are willing to cut their TV time is because they can watch the same things online.
getting rid of old clothes: The main problem with this resolution is that some people find themselves emotionally attached to clothes.
doing something for charity: Once the holiday is over and we return to our everyday reality, unfortunately, our generosity considerably decreases.

Why to make a resolution?  

Why should we make promises to ourselves? Perhaps because we know that resolutions are hard to stick to, especially when we want to give up a bad habit, like smoking, drinking, or eating too much chocolate. Another reason could be that they test our will-power. After all, going to the gym or cooking a healthy meal after a long day at work means making an extra effort. Traditionally, the beginning of a new year also brings the need for order, the need to get rid of the old stuff and magic some freshness and novelty into our boring daily lives. Selling old unwanted stuff online is definitely a modern solution to the problem and the money you get could help finance a resolution you’ve made, such as redecorating your home or renewing your hairstyle or wardrobe.

Many New Year’s resolutions focus on improving our health, fitness or finances, which often require sacrifices. Therefore, it is not difficult to see why so many of them last only for a month or so into the year. Why not pick something pleasant for the new year instead? Taking up a hobby you’ve been postponing for years might make a difference in your stressful life. The poll also shows that many people try to focus on personal relationships as well: spending more time with the kids, meeting one’s friends in person rather than online or admitting that our relationship with our spouse or partner needs some improvement can lead to a more fulfilling life.

I hate New Year’s resolutions. I love the idea of them, but I often get discouraged when I don’t keep them all… “Go to the gym each day” is a great goal, but let’s be honest, as much as I try, I’m not going to keep it every single day of 2015.

So instead, I like to write some simple goals. Simple habits that can change your life when developed over time…

Here’s a list of New Year’s resolutions from different people on our team.

1. Learn a new skill

A new language, a new instrument, a new genre of music… learn how to cook, or paint, or play soccer, or write computer programming… Learn something new!

2. Write once a week

Whether it’s songwriting, blogging, poetry, short stories, journalling… get in the habit of writing.  It takes time, and it takes work, but it develops your creativity.

3. Stop and celebrate the wins

Life goes fast and it is so easy to just keep moving on to the next thing. But take the time to stop and celebrate the wins… in your life, with your team. Celebrate the wins and celebrate the people that made it possible! 

4. Create more and push the boundaries

Imagine if Steve Jobs stopped after he created the iPod … what if Da Vinci stopped after he painted The Last Supper … we wouldn’t have the Mona Lisa, we wouldn’t have the iPhone, the iPad, the iWatch and whatever else Apple intends to create …

Let’s not stop creating, let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible!  

5. Listen more, talk less

Listen to new music.  In conversation, be the first to listen than to talk.

6. Make new friends

We’ve all heard the saying “show me your friends, and I’ll show you who you are”… if we want to have better lives this year, what better way than to make new friends! Maybe with people that challenge us, maybe with people that are very different from us… new friends will bring new experiences!

7. Read a book

An e-book. An audio book. A good old-fashioned paper book… It may change your life.

8. Plant a vegetable garden

Gardening requires patience, consistency — principles that are worth developing in our own lives!

9. Laugh every day

Laughter is the best medicine. With your family, at work, everywhere.

10. Volunteer

Be a volunteer – give your time to others. You might get back more than you give.

11. Put your phone down

It’s so easy to live your life with your head down, looking at your phone and letting it rule your life… Responding to messages, writing emails, checking your notifications on social media…

Look up. Put your phone in your pocket when you’re walking. Hide your phone in your bag when you’re having a coffee with someone. Leave your phone at the door when you get home. Try it.

12. Drink water and eat fruit

Take a refillable water bottle with you. Buy a small bowl for your desk at work or at home and keep it full of fresh fruit.

13. Look someone in the eye, ask them about their life, and listen

Not just “Hey, how are you?” as you quickly walk past each other… Ask questions that matter (look them in the eye when you do), and listen and care about what they have to share.

What’s new in your life?

Are you enjoying your job?

Tell me about your week…

How can I help you?

14. Encourage others

A phone call, a text message, an encouraging word in person can work miracles. Take the time to say what you appreciate about your friends!

15. Enjoy life

Every moment can be precious. Enjoy whatever you can.

Well, there you have it.  Pick one or two or seven commit to them and don’t stop when 2015 is over 🙂

Forrás: Hillsong, Australia

Vocabulary:

Fill in the gaps with words from the text.

He doesn’t get paid for this work. He’s ______________.

I won’t sell this picture. It’s very ______________to me.

Start exercising ever day. It can ______________in your life.

The waitress put ______________of soup on the table.

Last year she got ______________of walking her dog every morning.

Don’t get ______________. I know it’s difficult but I will help you.

They are really ______________people, they don’t use mobile phones.

Stop lying to me! Be ______________.

She didn’t send the present to me because she wanted to give it to me in ______________.

I really ______________your kindness. It ______________ a lot to me.

Key:

He doesn’t get paid for this work. He’s a volunteer.

I won’t sell this picture. It’s very precious to me.

Start exercising ever day. It can work miracles in your life.

The waitress put a bowl of soup on the table.

Last year she got in the habit of walking her dog every morning.

Don’t get discouraged. I know it’s difficult but I will help you.

They are really old-fashioned people, they don’t use mobile phones.

Stop lying to me! Be honest.

She didn’t send the present to me because she wanted to give it to me in person.

I really appreciate your kindness. It matters a lot to me.