New Year’s Resolutions: Love ‘em or Leave ‘em?

By Marsha Bailey, WEV Founder & CEO

The start of the New Year is the perfect time to think about setting goals for the year ahead.  At least that’s what the 45% of Americans who usually make New Year’s resolutions think.  The University of Scranton recently released some interesting statisticson what is, for some of us, an annual ritual.

In addition to the 45% of us who habitually make resolutions, 17% infrequently make them and 38% absolutely never make resolutions.  So what is the outcome of those resolutions?

1)      Only 8% of people are successful in achieving their resolution

2)      49% have infrequent success

3)      24% fail on their resolutions every year

4)      BUT (and it’s a big but!) People who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t.

What interests me most is number four.  As with the lottery, you have to buy a ticket to win.  If an interesting business idea has been rattling around in your brain, maybe 2014 is the year to find out if it has legs by signing up for a WEV class.

I confess, I’m an inveterate resolution-maker.   I think there is much to be gained by reflecting on what’s really important to me each year.  It helps me set priorities and even if I don’t achieve all my goals, I generally make progress towards them.  And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

This year, my goal is to be among the 8%.

Share your resolutions with WEV!  (Here’s some advice on how to keep them.)