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.

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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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01:16 PM Jan 26 2009 \| Reply
Amido Hernan Rios Colombia	I'm very satisfied by your lessons My ebaby! You are the greatest thing for me. My resolution is help others without waiting for anything in return.

01:16 PM Jan 26 2009 | Reply

Amido Hernan Rios

Colombia

I'm very satisfied by your lessons My ebaby! You are the greatest thing for me. My resolution is help others without waiting for anything in return.

07:04 AM Jan 25 2009 \| Reply
δΟч China	yes```

07:04 AM Jan 25 2009 | Reply

　δΟч

China

yes```

02:22 AM Jan 25 2009 \| Reply
kikam Algeria	losing weight. saving money. get command of the english language.

02:22 AM Jan 25 2009 | Reply

kikam

Algeria

losing weight.
saving money.
get command of the english language.

06:41 AM Jan 23 2009 \| Reply
Diny Brazil	mine is don't make resolutions…

06:41 AM Jan 23 2009 | Reply

Diny

Brazil

mine is don't make resolutions…

10:40 PM Jan 18 2009 \| Reply
Nikos Greece	I've promised myself, this year, more studies less girls :D

10:40 PM Jan 18 2009 | Reply

Nikos

Greece

I've promised myself, this year, more studies less girls :D

12:59 AM Jan 16 2009 \| Reply
follie Malaysia	Great~ Learn a lots My new year's resolutions is to enrich myself and hope my skin get recover soon ….

12:59 AM Jan 16 2009 | Reply

follie

Malaysia

Great~
Learn a lots
My new year's resolutions is to enrich myself and hope my skin get recover soon ….

03:16 PM Jan 06 2009 \| Reply
shad84 United States	i dont have one coz i wont keep them…............i juss wished i could learn to smile and love….........but again am scared of being hurt

03:16 PM Jan 06 2009 | Reply

shad84

United States

i dont have one coz i wont keep them…............i juss wished i could learn to smile and love….........but again am scared of being hurt

06:47 PM Jan 05 2009 \| Reply
Leo wang China	Thanks for your sharing your daily life! My New year resolution is to finish my post graduate paper,improve my computer programming skills and English ,also find a good job. maybe just these,let me think .lol All right.Happy new year,and best wishes to you!

06:47 PM Jan 05 2009 | Reply

Leo wang

China

Thanks for your sharing your daily life!
My New year resolution is to finish my post graduate paper,improve my computer programming skills and English ,also find a good job.
maybe just these,let me think .lol
All right.Happy new year,and best wishes to you!

09:09 PM Jan 02 2009 \| Reply
sofiayah China	my new year resolution is to persue my postgraduate study successfully!!

09:09 PM Jan 02 2009 | Reply

sofiayah

China

my new year resolution is to persue my postgraduate study successfully!!

01:04 AM Jan 02 2009 \| Reply
yogita12 India	my resoluation is to get a good job, learn english, learn cooking also, i want to improve my skills.

01:04 AM Jan 02 2009 | Reply

yogita12

India

my resoluation is to get a good job, learn english, learn cooking also,

i want to improve my skills.

12:53 AM Jan 02 2009 \| Reply
wuqijialiu China	I'm expecting to get a better job during the year of 2009. Meantime I'm ready to help others with what I can do, and more putting God into my heart…

12:53 AM Jan 02 2009 | Reply

wuqijialiu

China

I'm expecting to get a better job during the year of 2009. Meantime I'm ready to help others with what I can do, and more putting God into my heart…

04:10 AM Dec 30 2008 \| Reply
helen2569 China	i think my first new year's resolution is to get a better job,for i am out of job now.lol Learn English,save money,lose weight and enjoy daily life. sounds all too personal resolutions, lol, and i add one more, ready to help others when i can.:) Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

04:10 AM Dec 30 2008 | Reply

helen2569

China

i think my first new year's resolution is to get a better job,for i am out of job now.lol

Learn English,save money,lose weight and enjoy daily life.

sounds all too personal resolutions, lol, and i add one more, ready to help others when i can.:)

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

04:01 AM Dec 30 2008 \| Reply
helen2569 China	good lesson,i like it,thanks

04:01 AM Dec 30 2008 | Reply

helen2569

China

good lesson,i like it,thanks

02:15 AM Dec 30 2008 \| Reply
nad1a Greece	That's cool. How do you intend to keep it? then the link at the bottom is just for you: Five New Year's Resolutions for Learners to Improve Their English :-)

02:15 AM Dec 30 2008 | Reply