Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

By now you’ve probably read every kind of New Year’s goal or resolution blog, story, advice, or joke available. So, here’s one more angle for you to consider.

Which do you prefer, goals or resolutions? A resolution means you are resolving to do something—a plan of action to commit yourself to something you’re determined to do. A goal is something you want to reach—the result or achievement which effort is directed; aim; end. So, which do you prefer? Personally, I like to make goals instead of resolutions.

It seems to be easier to reach because goals are usually met at different levels. It’s good to start out with a short term goal. For instance, if you want to lose weight, don’t set your goal at 25 pounds. Set it at six to eight pounds instead. When you reach that goal then set it for six to eight more pounds. It’s much easier to reach a short term goal. It also lets you feel good about yourself if you have a shorter time to aim for it instead of thinking it could take a year to get results.

Another example is something writers do. Some authors set goals, saying they’ll write ten pages or 500 words, etc. I like to set my goal as chapters. When I finish a chapter, I feel like I’ve accomplished something more. A chapter is like a whole episode in a book, meaning you’ve finished another milestone in your story. A goal is what I want to reach for, to strive to meet. In a resolution, I am saying I am going to do it, and not falter with firm determination. There are too many obstacles that can get in your way with a resolution. Isn’t it depressing when you don’t meet what you resolved to do? That is one reason you should set short term goals instead of unrealistic resolutions.