Adam Thomas, RPH

Or is it I resolve NOT to resolve?

Regardless, I just don’t do New Year’s Resolutions (NYR).  It’s so cliche’.  Unfortunately, people go crazy over these things, setting expectations for themselves that are so not attainable.  It’s like that damn Snow Day Calculator or the newest initiative from corporate on ‘how the way prescriptions are filled will change America’ or some bullshit like that.  Just another illusion that sets all involved up for failure.  Except for the vendor software provider or author of said corporate initiative, that is.

Think about it.  A guy drops off a prescription for smoking cessation medication that reeks of cigarette smoke and asks the infamous question – “Is it okay if I smoke while I’m on this?”  I’m thinkin’ his NYR will end even before it begins.

Another popular Resolution is ‘getting into better shape’.  Personally, I appreciate these intentions.  These people pay yearly membership dues and by early February cease going to the gym.  The only burden on me is dealing with these novices in designer workout gear for a few weeks.  So I just bitch to fellow regulars and wait it out.  Then I get my gym back and I’m happy.

Don’t get me wrong, I have expectations for myself on a regular basis, setting goals when faced with opportunities and/or obstacles.  I did write three novels and a screenplay.  Unfortunately, I, too, am often disappointed.  Remember, I’m still a retail pharmacist.  My dreams of having a New York Times Number One Best Seller hasn’t  happened YET.  But it will.  When it does you will all hear the rejoicing.  Hell, I’ll probably post my resignation letter.

I researched this NYR thing a bit further.  The ‘sample’ resolutions offered were passé , boring at best.  What I found interesting weren’t the success rates but the un-success rates.

A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail,^[8] despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.^[9]

Recently I was discussing NYR with a co-worker and thought of a question.  Valentine’s Day is just six weeks away – in retail terms that’s like tomorrow.  I wondered which of the two ‘holidays’ New Years or Valentine’s Day had the greatest high expectation – low yield / disappointment stats.

Any thoughts?