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New Years Resolutions - An Engineering Approach

Hugh Pickens writes "Four out of five people who make New Year's resolutions will eventually break them and a third won't even make it to the end of January says the NY Times. But experts say the real problem is that people make the wrong resolutions. The typical resolution often reflects a general desire. To engineer better behavior, it is more productive to focus on a specific goal. '"Many clients make broad resolutions, but I advise them to focus the goals so that they are not overwhelmed," says Lisa R. Young. "Small and tangible one-day-at-a-time goals work best."' Here are some resolutions that experts say can work: To lose weight, resolve to split an entree with your dining partner when dining out. To improve your fitness, wear a pedometer and monitor your daily activity. To improve family life, resolve to play with your kids at least one extra day a week. To improve your marriage, find a new activity you and your spouse both enjoy such as taking a pottery class. On a lighter note: What was Steve Jobs' New Year's Resolution?"

6 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Steve Job's New Years resolution by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The same resolution he makes every year, Pinky. TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  2. Steve Jobs' New Year's Resolution by niceone · · Score: 5, Funny
    I'm guessing 2560 x 1600.

    To lose weight, resolve to split an entree with your dining partner when dining out.
    Loose weight and look cheap at the same time, woohoo!
    1. Re:Steve Jobs' New Year's Resolution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I resolve to teach slashdotters how to spell "lose".

  3. Never understood new years resolutions by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Insightful

    To me, and this is probably the engineer in me speaking, the arbitrary designation of the end of the year as a time to make life adjustments is very odd. If there is a problem in your life or something that needs changing, it seems like you should work to correct that whenever you discover it. The big push for resolutions around new years seems counterproductive in that many people may wait to make changes until "the new year".

    It seems like personal growth should be a cycle of small, incremental improvements made throughout your life.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  4. myminicity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Kill anyone I meet who has a myminicity account.

  5. Re:Talk to to a woman by yndrd1984 · · Score: 5, Funny
    talk to a woman this year

    Speak for yourself - I call my mom every week!

    Oh, you meant a ... woman woman ... sorry.