New Years Resolutions - An Engineering Approach 144
Hugh Pickens writes "Four out of five people who make New Year's resolutions will eventually break them and a third won't even make it to the end of January says the NY Times. But experts say the real problem is that people make the wrong resolutions. The typical resolution often reflects a general desire. To engineer better behavior, it is more productive to focus on a specific goal. '"Many clients make broad resolutions, but I advise them to focus the goals so that they are not overwhelmed," says Lisa R. Young. "Small and tangible one-day-at-a-time goals work best."' Here are some resolutions that experts say can work: To lose weight, resolve to split an entree with your dining partner when dining out. To improve your fitness, wear a pedometer and monitor your daily activity. To improve family life, resolve to play with your kids at least one extra day a week. To improve your marriage, find a new activity you and your spouse both enjoy such as taking a pottery class. On a lighter note: What was Steve Jobs' New Year's Resolution?"
the solution to this age old problem (Score:3, Funny)
Those who have access to a time machine of course do not need this and can go about it the oldfashioned way.
Steve Job's New Years resolution (Score:5, Funny)
Steve Jobs' New Year's Resolution (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Steve Job's New Years resolution (Score:4, Funny)
"What are we resolving to do this year, Brin?"
"Same thing we always do, Larry
Obligatory Engineering Pun (Score:5, Funny)
I swear, no more fiddling around with 4:3 aspect ratios of the past. The CRT hits the junk pile in 2004, replaced by LCD, so help me.
Obviously not written with Slashdot in mind (Score:3, Funny)
No. slashdot is not going to give up on this by the end of January. They are gonna give up by the end of next week.
Rubbish ... just water down your expectations (Score:2, Funny)
myminicity (Score:5, Funny)
I say screw it! (Score:3, Funny)
That way not only does no one mind when I break my resolution, I'm encouraged to do so!
Re:My new year's resolution is not to make one (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Steve Job's New Years resolution (Score:2, Funny)
They're Pinkie and the Brin.
Pinkie and the Brin.
One is a genius,
the other's in sin
To prove their company's worth
they'll overthrow the Earth
They're Pinkie
Pinkie and the
Brin Brin Brin Brin
Brin Brin Brin Brin
Re:Talk to to a woman (Score:5, Funny)
Speak for yourself - I call my mom every week!
Oh, you meant a ... woman woman ... sorry.
Re:Obviously not written with Slashdot in mind (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Steve Jobs' New Year's Resolution (Score:5, Funny)
This works - (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Steve Jobs' New Year's Resolution (Score:5, Funny)
People probably won't pay much attention until you start spelling "loose" properly.
Re:Talk to to a woman (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Why does everyone make depressing resolutions? (Score:1, Funny)
I bet you've never heard that in your life.
Resolving to confirm a need for improved fitness. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Steve Jobs' New Year's Resolution (Score:3, Funny)
Re:My new year's resolution is not to make one (Score:4, Funny)
What I my kid to do this year (Score:3, Funny)
2) Move out of my damn basement.
3) Get a date.
Re:Why does everyone make depressing resolutions? (Score:3, Funny)
If you make dying the priority you can cross the rest off at once (nothing personal, just pointing out the efficient route).
Re:What I my kid to do this year (Score:1, Funny)
I'm telling you, realistic sexbots = world peace (Score:5, Funny)
That gets expensive. Does't matter if it's a S.O. or prostitutes, either.
--- Resolve to earn more for less work than last year.
Not sure I can optimize that one any further without my bosses catching on.
--- Resolve to find something new that makes you laugh.
I just turn on the news every evening. There's new hilarity every day. And it's an election year!
Helps to be a misanthrope, I guess.
--- Resolve to cross more things off your "Before I Die..." list.
But I can't get Jennifer Connelly to return my calls, much less agree to what's on my list.
--- Resolve to spend less time around people you don't like.
Well now I'd have to leave the planet. I'm a skeptic, but I do follow major UFO sightings with interest. No real luck yet.
Re:Why does everyone make depressing resolutions? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:And this is why it works... (Score:3, Funny)
My New Year's resolution: learn how to sit on a chair properly.