By Babatunde Ayedoju

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There is a saying that there is time for everything. It is also believed that life moves in cycles. This is illustrated by the fact that everyday we have morning, afternoon, evening and even night. Every week, we have Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Similarly, every year we have 12 months that begin with January and end with December. Indeed, the times and seasons merely repeat themselves. One of the most eventful periods of the year is January, the first month of the year. Precisely, on the first day of this month, which is also the first day of the year, people mark what is called New Year celebration.

The joy of New Year day is very close to that of Christmas, as the shout of “Happy New Year” fills the air. Part of the practices that accompany the new year celebration is new year resolution. People have for long embraced the culture of drawing a list of decisions they want to take and changes they want to make in their lives. That is what is called New Year Resolution and it has become a popular practice.

The Hope spoke with some individuals to find out their opinions on this practice that has become a popular one and to know what their experiences had been with New Year resolutions in the past.

According to Comfort Msheila, “I believe in setting goals and working towards achieving them. That, I have been doing and I have analysed where I didn’t get it right, including what needs to be done. I believe determination and consistency will be of immense help to attain one’s goals.”

She said further, “Concerning this year, I have set my goals already and will surely work towards attaining them.”

Samuel Ogundipe, a businessman, said, “I don’t have much to say on new year resolution because I make resolutions at any instance I see the need. I know it has worked for some people. I just believe as I grow older and deeper in the knowledge of God, some things will fall off me gradually.”

In the opinion of Bankole Emmanuel, a broadcaster, “It’s good to have a resolution. It’s a pointer to being determined to be focused. Years before now, I made new year resolution. I kept some and forgot about so many along the way. One needs the Holy Spirit to keep a resolution.

“I no longer make any resolution. I live by revelation throughout the year, not by resolution, and the revelation I get is what keeps me on track all through.

Abisola Oni, an entrepreneur, said, “New resolution simply means doing things differently or stopping a negative attitude. I believe in it and I’ve had new year resolutions in the past but I stopped at a point. To keep resolutions require discipline and consistency. Most importantly, having the end results of the resolutions in our minds at all times will keep us going. For instance, this year, I plan to improve and be a better version of myself.

According to Ronald Izuchukwu, a graphic artist, “I’m not a new year resolution making person. For those who want to grow in life, there is nothing like new year resolution. You have to set up your plans peacefully and set up time frame for each. Coming up with a New year resolution is like making a decision not borne out of conviction. You hear people talk about new year resolution and before you know it, they have returned to default settings, because it was not borne out of conviction but because other people are doing it.

hat I will advise is that people set small goals before the hard goals. Gradually, steadily and diligently, you can hit your target.

“I have made some new year resolutions in the past but I wasn’t able to keep any of them. I was over excited because of the new year and I was doing what everyone else was doing. I came to realize that if it was the result I’m after, I must be strategic in my plans. I must be different from the point of knowing who I am, I must identify my strength and weaknesses.”

Joyous Adekunle, also a graphic designer, said, “I believe new year resolutions can be kept. I set goals for every new year and I have been able to keep most of them. It helps me set targets and work with them.”

“Sometimes we set goals out of God’s plan for us per season, so I try not to be too rigid with resolutions. I pray to God to help me achieve goals that I have set and if they aren’t part of his plan for me, He should scatter them. For this year, I intend making some resolutions and reviewing them weekly to see if I’m making progress in achieving the goals that I have set.”

Another respondent who did not want his name in print said, “I do not make resolution at all. I have never been a fan of such. If it works for some people then they should totally press forward with it. But why wait for a particular season when you could use your will power at any time?

Toyosi Adeleke, an agriculturist, opined, “I believe in making new year resolution. However, I don’t have any issue with people not doing it. For me, it’s a form of goal setting. I have made such in times past and intend making some in the new year. I was able to keep most of them. It did help me to stay focused on what I wanted to achieve for the year.