Date: Dec 27 2008
Topic: Reading

Author: nad1a

Lesson

At the end of each year, we look back to the past year and set our goals for the coming one. And this is when we start making our New Year’s Resolutions. We start analyzing our lifestyle and habits and eventually make a commitment about the changes and improvements we need to make.

You may have experienced some financial challenges during the last year and then you realize that you have been spending too much money on unnecessary or inessential things. On New Year’s Eve, you make yourself a promise to be more economically responsible this year.

The extra few pounds that you have added in addition to your increased blood pressure may call for a decision to become more health conscious and join a gym. And there’s no better time for giving up smoking than on New Year’s Day.

You missed out on a promotion because you didn’t find the courage to speak up and negotiate it, or you make too many sacrifices for others and fail to fulfill your own needs because you find it hard to say ‘no’. Then you may resolve to become more assertive from now on.

Other, more socially oriented resolutions may include getting involved in charity work and fund-raising programs or start recycling.

Why they’re called “New Year’s Resolution” is because they go into effect on New Years Day. However, making the decision is the easiest part. What proves to be more challenging is sticking to those promises we make and carrying out those changes we decide upon.

***

Resolution:
a noun from the verb ‘to resolve’; to come to a clear decision or make a commitment about something; decide to make a change or improvement;

Most Popular Goals

• Lose Weight
• Pay Off Debt/s
• Save Money
• Get a Better Job
• Get Fit
• Eat Right
• Get a Better Education
• Drink less Alcohol
• Quit Smoking
• Reduce Stress Overall
• Reduce Stress at Work
• Take a Trip
• Volunteer to Help Others

***

Think about and share with us:

1. Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?
2. Did you keep your last year’s resolution?
3. What's your New Years Resolution for the New Year 09'?

More Culture Lessons and Video Activities

Listening practice:
Five New Year's Resolutions for Learners to Improve Their English

Further Reading:
Top Ten New Year's Resolutions

Comments

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03:56 AM Apr 28 2009 \| Reply
Layan.. Palestinian Territory, Occupied	I hope that my new year resolution is to improve my skills in English and to to have the biggest amount of information in English that before I graduate I owns ahuge knowledge in English

03:56 AM Apr 28 2009 | Reply

Layan..

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

I hope that my new year resolution is to improve my skills in English and to to have the biggest amount of information in English that before I graduate I owns ahuge knowledge in English

06:11 AM Apr 24 2009 \| Reply
mehdimansiz Iran, Islamic Republic Of	My new year resoluation is changing myself and being a beter man

06:11 AM Apr 24 2009 | Reply

mehdimansiz

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

My new year resoluation is changing myself and being a beter man

02:43 AM Apr 23 2009 \| Reply
rjc China	my new year resolution is getting a better education, and living condition can be improved.

02:43 AM Apr 23 2009 | Reply

rjc

China

my new year resolution is getting a better education, and living condition can be improved.

08:38 AM Apr 21 2009 \| Reply
vannessa21231 Thailand	My new year solutions are improve my english skills, lose weight and get better grade.

08:38 AM Apr 21 2009 | Reply

vannessa21231

Thailand

My new year solutions are improve my english skills, lose weight and get better grade.

10:17 AM Apr 17 2009 \| Reply
ali.abrahim Sudan	this is new year to my to get on this all dear foundation on place will come easy to all foundatin dear best friend on ok my dear to make to new work to resolution to my work from this

10:17 AM Apr 17 2009 | Reply

ali.abrahim

Sudan

this is new year to my to get on this all dear foundation on place will come easy to all foundatin dear best friend on ok my dear to make to new work to resolution to my work from this

11:32 AM Apr 14 2009 \| Reply
ramesh.sinha1 India	Yes, I make MY new year resolution year after year but the problem was that I didn't able to keep it up!And this Year my resolution is to Learn English and second one to get a good job .

11:32 AM Apr 14 2009 | Reply

ramesh.sinha1

India

Yes, I make MY new year resolution year after year but the problem was that I didn't able to keep it up!And this Year my resolution is to Learn English and second one to get a good job .

12:30 AM Apr 14 2009 \| Reply
maggiewangdandan China	i think order one resolution can't catch changing,but i also make one: i will adjust to the current circustmance, nothing will retard my new life's growth. i will persist until succed,I will try, and try, and try again. Each obstacle I will consider as a mere detour to my goal and a challenge to my profession. I will persist and develop my skills as the mariner develops his, by learning to ride out the wrath of each storm. action speaks louder than words, now action,fighting!!gal

12:30 AM Apr 14 2009 | Reply

maggiewangdandan

China

i think order one resolution can't catch changing,but i also make one: i will adjust to the current circustmance, nothing will retard my new life's growth. i will persist until succed,I will try, and try, and try again. Each obstacle I will consider as a mere detour to my goal and a challenge to my profession. I will persist and develop my skills as the mariner develops his, by learning to ride out the wrath of each storm. action speaks louder than words, now action,fighting!!gal

12:40 PM Apr 13 2009 \| Reply
NCIS United Arab Emirates	*my new year's resolutions:Lose Weight,Get a Better Education and Volunteer to Help Others.*

12:40 PM Apr 13 2009 | Reply

NCIS

United Arab Emirates

my new year's resolutions:Lose Weight,Get a Better Education and Volunteer to Help Others.

07:35 AM Apr 09 2009 \| Reply
青儿 China	I think it is really hard to say 'no' so,my New Year's Resolution is to do something for myself such as to learn eglish well and read more books before i greduate…

07:35 AM Apr 09 2009 | Reply

青儿

China

I think it is really hard to say 'no'

so,my New Year's Resolution is to do something for myself such as to learn eglish well and read more books before i greduate…

01:34 AM Apr 07 2009 \| Reply
michael3448 Taiwan	My New year's resolution makes me gain weight and study English well

01:34 AM Apr 07 2009 | Reply

michael3448

Taiwan

My New year's resolution makes me gain weight

and study English well

08:03 AM Mar 30 2009 \| Reply
zoeinbeijing China	Every year I make resolutions. Last year is I want to be happier. This year is I want to be healther

08:03 AM Mar 30 2009 | Reply

zoeinbeijing

China

Every year I make resolutions. Last year is I want to be happier. This year is I want to be healther

06:36 AM Mar 29 2009 \| Reply
mable1122 Hong Kong	my new year's resolutions losing weight.

06:36 AM Mar 29 2009 | Reply

mable1122

Hong Kong

my new year's resolutions losing weight.

08:15 AM Mar 26 2009 \| Reply
indra_wijaya Indonesia	my resolution for new year is i ave to go to university and pass my ielts exam…

08:15 AM Mar 26 2009 | Reply

indra_wijaya

Indonesia

my resolution for new year is i ave to go to university and pass my ielts exam…

06:46 PM Mar 21 2009 \| Reply
AtomDekZa Thailand	ohh!! Help me !! i'm not good English. How i have to do for improve it? Now, i'm foggy.

06:46 PM Mar 21 2009 | Reply

AtomDekZa

Thailand

ohh!!

Help me !!

i'm not good English.

How i have to do for improve it?

Now, i'm foggy.

10:45 PM Mar 18 2009 \| Reply
happygirljiajia China	nice lesson,wondful.

10:45 PM Mar 18 2009 | Reply

happygirljiajia

China

nice lesson,wondful.

09:20 PM Mar 18 2009 \| Reply
shimaa mohammed Egypt	My new year resolutions is I'm gonna be better in English God willing.

09:20 PM Mar 18 2009 | Reply

shimaa mohammed

Egypt

My new year resolutions is I'm gonna be better in English God willing.

10:59 PM Mar 12 2009 \| Reply
anneqiu United States	My New Year's Resolutions is get a New job. I am a patternmaker in USA, I quit the job at last Sep. Hope can get my professional job back.

10:59 PM Mar 12 2009 | Reply

anneqiu

United States

My New Year's Resolutions is get a New job. I am a patternmaker in USA, I quit the job at last Sep.

Hope can get my professional job back.

06:08 AM Mar 06 2009 \| Reply
*JuliaHe** China	my new year's resolution is to smile everyday no matter what happened. This is the also my last year's resolution, but I didn't fullfill it. Life is full of misfortune only be stronger can we make a difference.

06:08 AM Mar 06 2009 | Reply

Julia*He

China

my new year's resolution is to smile everyday no matter what happened. This is the also my last year's resolution, but I didn't fullfill it. Life is full of misfortune only be stronger can we make a difference.