I’ve never made a Resolution for New Year’s in my life. And yes, this is almost certainly due to a profound lack of character on my part.

But hear me out! According to no less an authority than Wikipedia: “Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals.”

The obvious question: is this simple luck or are 12% of any random sample of people just likely to possess the necessary levels of dedication?

Frankly, I suspect it’s better to focus on implementing whatever beneficial change of habits you have in mind for a month, or similar short time period, rather than to think in terms of “a year”, which makes everything seem more daunting. A short time-frame makes you at once more focused and less overwhelmed.

But then, I’ve never done that either. Why? See “lack of character” above.