For gyms, the most wonderful time of year follows closely after Christmas.
Memberships are sold to blindingly eager people who are convinced this New Year is just the turning point they need to change.
But the significance of the New Year is an illusion. It’s not what’s going to propel you into a new way of living.
By March, the gym is still going to be collecting monthly fees for that membership you no longer use.
Instead of making lofty goals at the beginning of the year that just end up turning into ways you feel you have failed at life a couple of months later, decide to make changes for yourself at your own pace.
Though a festive occasion may seem like a great way to ring in your resolutions, it can emphasize more of the spirit and the idea of change rather than the actual follow-through.
Making goals with all of the pomp and circumstance are often done more for the benefit of impressing other people than for making a personal commitment to yourself.
Don’t give the New Year the power to be an excuse for you to put off making yourself a better person.
Once you’ve decided to make new habits, make sure they are reasonable and are for you alone.
If your resolution involves some kind of diet routine, please keep it to yourself.
No one wants to hear about how many calories are in the food you’re eating; that subject has gotten as tiresome as mustaches on things and bacon in sweets.
I like to make my goals small, specific and achievable.
I also tell myself not to expect too many noticeable results in a short time.
Studies differ on how long it takes to make or break a habit, from three weeks to more than 200 days, but basically, it may be a challenge to one’s Netflix-speed-adapted expectations.
I also try to be honest with myself when I am making goals.
It’s weird, but you can lie to yourself, be really gullible and believe what you tell yourself.
Instead of telling myself to go to every single class period this semester, because, honestly, I know that will never happen, I’ve made a resolution to go to the classes that take attendance and take advantage of the allotted excused absences.
If I went with the first resolution, I would never succeed, and I would just feel like I’ve failed myself.
Not every resolution has to sound like it came from a self-help book or an inspirational poster hanging in a guidance counselor’s office.
Goals can be fun and seemingly silly.
I made a point a couple of years ago to start giving people the compliments I used to think but keep to myself.
People like hearing that you like their shoes, hair or smile. I mean, they don’t tell me that I am creeping them out.
Though it’s Jan. 14, and you may have already forgotten or abandoned your resolutions, or you never made any this year and think it’s too late, it’s not.
Of course, society probably needs people to not follow through with their resolutions.
Otherwise, fast-food restaurants would close, the economy would crash, and lifestyle magazines would be pulled off the shelves.
If you don’t want to be the American stereotype, it’s never too late.
Lauren Adamson is a UF journalism junior. Her column appears on Tuesdays. A version of this column ran on page 6 on 1/14/2014 under the headline "This year, resolve to create attainable goals"
