Only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year's resolutions, according to 2014 Journal of Clinical Psychology statistics. About 45% of Americans make any resolutions at all. The most common New Year's resolution is to lose weight, followed by being more organized, being careful with money, enjoying life, and stopping smoking. Self-improvement and education resolutions rank the highest at 47% while relationship-related resolutions rank the lowest at 31%. Being able to work towards a resolution can be the most difficult as only 75% of those who made any resolution maintained it through the first week. The percentage lowers overtime: 71% maintained their resolution through two weeks, and 46% maintained their resolution through 6 months. For those looking to meet their New Year's resolutions, it is recommended that people announce their goals, have an accountability system, or set future dates when smaller goals will be achieved that will aid in the success of the resolution.
More about New Year's Day:
- The traditional ball drop during New Year's Day celebration in New York first took place December 31, 1907.
- January is named after the Roman god, Janus, who is the god of beginnings and transitions. Janus has two faces: one looking forward and one looking back.
- Other dates have been used throughout history as New Year's Day such as March 1 by the Romans, and the winter solstice by other cultures.