A further thought that occurred on an airplane regarding on our celebrations and observances of the new year, lest you think me so disagreeable to even deny the existence of a long-standing holiday in the human tradition:
From the practical, Getting Things Done™, Lifehacker, and “Chuck” standpoint, making use of the new year to set habits and goals makes perfect sense, especially if one has a concrete, tangible, measurable goal. I want to lose 20 pounds by the end of 2013 – on December 31, 2013 I’ll know if I had the willpower, dedication, self-control and good fortune to lose 20 pounds (fear not, a hypothetical concern). Or perhaps I want exercise more and set a goal of running at least three times a week. On December 31st I will have a clear, measurable goal of my success in that endeavor.
The year thus serves as a measurement, providing a fixed, universal way of calculating progress. These metrics are certainly useful as motivational tools. Only made 125 runs out of the 150 run target? Lost 14 of the 20 pounds? Only got through Philippians in your Bible reading schedule? You now have a measure of your progress and areas where you need to improve in the coming year.
This is good and fine, where we tend to go wrong is setting unrealistic goals and failing to implement any sort habit forming system to see them through. An entire business of life coaches, websites, “lifehacking” programs and whatnot have sprung up to provide assistance in these areas. These are good and well as long as they are applied properly. One can determine weight loss – one cannot so easily measure “being a better person” or “growing spiritually.”
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