This archive report was first published on 4 January 2020.
Are New Year Resolutions Overrated? ¶
As we enter a new year, many of us reflect on our goals and aspirations. New Year's resolutions are a common tradition, but are they effective in achieving personal growth and change?
For some, setting goals is a way to reflect on the past year and plan for the future. For others, it's a way to make a fresh start and try new things. But are New Year's resolutions truly effective, or are they just a fleeting trend?
According to Wendy Waweru, founder of MyCurves Kenya, New Year's resolutions can be a powerful tool for achieving personal growth. 'New Year's resolutions are, to me, a lighthouse that guides you on where you want to go,' she says. 'It's a prayer on how you'd love your year to unfold.'
Wendy sets her goals in October, and works to achieve them by breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks. She also uses a vision board to help her stay focused and motivated.
Angela Mwali, a training consultant, takes a more private approach to setting goals. 'I am very private with my resolutions; I hardly share them with anyone,' she says. 'But some resolutions do need accountability partners; you really can't achieve them on your own.'
Angela's approach is to set goals that are transformational, rather than just targets to be achieved. She checks in on her progress regularly, and uses a combination of self-reflection and accountability partners to stay on track.
Kanyi Ohawa, founder of All & Sundry Limited, takes a more practical approach to setting goals. 'I don't feel that New Year Resolutions work, though – it's almost like setting yourself up to fail,' she says. 'I think it's mostly because of its name. 'Planning' sounds so much better than 'New Year Resolutions.'
Despite her reservations, Kanyi has achieved some of her goals in the past, including focusing on her niche market in graphic design and branding. She also uses a combination of self-reflection and accountability partners to stay on track.
Finally, Jordan Awori, a cultural interior decor expert, takes a more philosophical approach to setting goals. 'Nothing much changes for me from December 31 to January 1 other than the fact that I have to constantly correct the year when writing out dates,' he says. 'What it shows me, though, is that people will live through an entire year while they aren't fully happy; they have the power to make a change to most of their issues – if they wanted to – but they wait for some momentous occasion called the New Year to find the guts to try.'
Ultimately, whether or not New Year's resolutions are overrated depends on individual perspectives and approaches. While some people find them to be a powerful tool for achieving personal growth, others may view them as a fleeting trend or a way to set oneself up for failure.
