If you’re like most of America, at some point in December (probably under the influence of some eggnog or fruitcake) you made a New Year’s resolution. It could be to quit smoking or lose weight or get organized, but whatever it is chances are that by mid-January you’ll have given up.

I don’t have any scientific data to support that statement, other than my own experience, which judging from the response I get from readers of this column is pretty representative of my audience. I just know that for most people, making a New Year’s resolution is more show than substance.

Researchers have found that how committed a person really is to changing a behavior is the best predictor of how successful he or she will be in the long run. If you’re not serious about the change, you’ll fail. But if you really want to lose weight or quit smoking or get organized, you will.

I don’t think we really needed a scientific study to make the point that motivation is the key to sticking to a New Year’s resolution. But I think the reason most people fail is simply that New Year’s falls at the wrong time of the year.

In Western New York, January begins a long, dark season of snow, ice and frigid temperatures. My blood is frozen in my veins and my motivation for anything except sleeping is non-existent. Clean the house? Fat chance. Get in shape? Going to the gym requires that I first go outside, which I avoid whenever possible between January and April. I don’t want to change my pajamas in January, let alone my behavior.

That’s why I think we should move New Year’s to May.

In May the snow is gone, and while the temperatures are still cool at night there is an unmistakable warmth in the morning air. Buds are forming on the trees and the crocus and tulip bulbs are bursting through the soil. It’s the perfect time to make a resolution and keep it, because May ushers in a season of rebirth. Everywhere you look, hope is in bloom.

So this January, I give you permission to not make a New Year’s resolution. Instead, curl up on the couch with a bag of pretzels, put an old movie in the DVD player, and stop worrying yourself silly about whether or not you’ve gained a couple of pounds over the holidays. It’s winter; no one can tell how big you are under all of those clothes anyway.

And with my plan, you have five more months before you have to worry about it.

Reader Comments