Evidently it began with the Babylonians in 4000 BC.  They made resolutions reflecting their belief that what you did on the first day of the new year is how the rest of the year would go.  Their New Year was March 1, spring planting time for agrarian countries.

Then Julius Caesar, a Roman, changed the beginning of the New Year to January 1, January being the month named for Janus, the god of doors, gates and beginnings. Janus has two faces, one facing forward, the other facing backward.  The Dutch then brought this tradition to the New World.

In Texas, you're supposed to eat black eyed peas on New Year's Day for good luck, but in some cultures you're supposed to eat pork, because of the pig's forward rooting motion.  Many cultures still believe what you do January 1 is how you should live the rest of the year, reflect thisi in their customs, and emphasize a good housecleaning.

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR RESOLUTIONS

What are the most popular resolutions?  Spending more time with family and friends, losing weight, getting in shape, and quitting bad habits such as drinking too much and smoking.

Other popular favorites are to get a better job and to get more education, get out of debt, and help others.

TO STOP OR TO START?

According to a study done at the University of Washington, 222 people make resolutions to start or increase a good habit, while only 40 made resolutions to cease or decrease a bad habit.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR RESOLUTIONS

Do you break yours within a couple of weeks as many of us 
do?  Here are some tips to increase the probability of keeping them.

1.  Make them over a period of time, not just sitting down New Year's Eve when you're sick of chocolate, or New Year's Day when you have a huge hangover.

2.  Be willing to make a sacrifice and be prepared to make one.  That's what it's going to take.

3.  According to the Texas Medical Association, the main reason for failing is "fear of the unknown."  They suggest we make sure we know the disadvantages of continuing the bad habit, and the benefits of acquiring the new one.

4.  Don't use absolutes, such as "I'll never have chocolate again."  This sort of resolution can't be kept.  It's unrealistic and will make you feel inadequate.

5.  Have a contingency plan in place if you should fail. What you'll do, who'll you'll call ... which brings up no. 6.

6.  Enlist the aid of others.  Tell other people about your resolves and ask them to help you keep them.


7.  Note your progress often, give yourself feedback, and celebrate when it's going well.

8.  Focus on the process rather than the goal.  In other words, instead of working on "losing 20 lbs.," work on "exercising daily and eating healthy."

9. Paula Wallin, Ph.D. suggests "redefining physical sensations of discomfort," which I guess is a euphemism for "suffering".  For instance when you're really hungry and your stomach is growling, tell yourself how great that is, because it means your body's going to have to start using stored fat.

10.   According to a University of Washington study, the key to keeping your resolution is your confidence that you can make the behavioral change, and the strength of your commitment.

It's a process, said the U. W. study.  It took some people 6 or 7 attempts to keep their resolution, so hang in there and good luck!

---------------------------

(c)Susan Dunn, MA Clinical Psychology, certified emotional intelligence coach, http;//www.susandunn.cc .Coaching, EQ programs, distance learning, The EQ Learning lab, and the eBook Library - http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html  Want to become a certified EQ coach - go here:  www.
eqcoach.net  mailto'sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezine