Resolutions vs. Goals

I read many a blog these days. I am seeing a trend among them:

New Year's Resolutions (or Goals)

Of course I think this is perfectly normal, (considering it is a new year).

Sort of.............

Some people are making resolutions. Some are making goals. Some are making resolutions and calling them goals. Some are making goals and calling them resolutions. Some think a goal is okay to make but a resolution is not. Some think a resolution is the only way to go. This forced me to look up a dictionary's definition of these words. This is what I found:

RESOLUTION:
1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made.
2. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
GOALS:
1. The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.

In the past, I have made many resolutions come the first of the new year. Too, too many to remember or list. Some have stuck and even more did not. In the past, I have set many goals at all different times in my life. They usually have to do with drinking, eating, or moving physically. I can honestly say I usually attain the goals I set for myself. So, this gets me thinking why is it easier to set a "goal" than make a "resolution"? Well, a resolution is a "formal expression of intention." A goal is "an objective." If I don't make my objective, maybe it's easier to swallow than not following through with something I formally expressed I intended to do. Could that be it? Say I have a goal of finishing a half marathon in under two hours. I come in at 2:05. Shucks! I didn't make my goal. Oh, shoot. Well, maybe next time, huh? On the other hand, if I formally express that I intend to finish a half marathon in under two hours, I think that puts more pressure on myself. And if I don't make it? Oh! Gasp! I made a resolution at the beginning of the year that I was going to do it this year. Now what? I can't make another resolution, can I? But if I had a goal, I could always make a new goal tomorrow. I know some people that do not make resolutions every year because they know they can't keep them, or they just think it's a lame thing to do. It appears "goals" is the new "resolutions", just like "Happy Holidays" has replaced "Happy Thanksgiving" and "Merry Christmas".

I am not afraid of failure. I am not afraid of change. I am not afraid of a challenge.

I formally express at this time, I intend to set many objectives for myself in this new year.