Resolve not to make New Year's resolutions

New Year's resolutions.

Some view the start of the new year as a chance for a fresh start, a symbolic "do over" as it were. Others roll their eyes and vow that resolutions are destined for failure — that a commitment to goals at any point during the year is a better, saner route.

I probably fall more in the "anti" camp than the "for" camp when it comes to resolutions. Why wait until the start of the year before making a commitment to improve your life? If you're ready to lose weight, quit smoking or "fill in the blank," then why wait? If you're ready, you're ready.

Waiting until some arbitrary date on the calendar isn't going to boost your chances of success. If anything, you're probably more likely to fail since resolutions are renowned for their failure rate and it's easy to justify falling off track.

Goals, however, require a certain commitment. They require active participation and a plan. If you are committed to good health, you've set a goal weight, are already working out and have switched bad eating habits for a healthier lifestyle.

If you're looking to quit smoking, you've found a quitting buddy, talked to your doctor and taken other measures to improve your chances of success. With a resolution, you may have just woken up, realize you haven't set a resolution and figure "quit smoking" is as good an answer as any for the inevitable question on what you set for your resolution.

Instead of resolutions, make a commitment. If you're not ready today, make that commitment tomorrow, or the next day or … When you do make that commitment, know that you can do it because you are ready — whether your goal is to lose weight, quit smoking or clear out the clutter.

And, when you're ready to make the commitment, write it down and keep a journal. Studies show you're more likely to stick with your goal if it's in print.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.