It's that time of year again when most of us start to think about our New Year resolutions.

 

But the thing about resolutions is that at the time you make them, you really do convince yourself that you have the commitment and willpower to carry them through.

The big question is, how long does this commitment last?

For some people the decision to commit to something can take quite a lot of serious deliberation. People write ideas and lists down in notebooks detailing how they want to achieve the glossy magazine cover look in the forthcoming year and strive to be slimmer, fitter, stronger and healthier.

Others aspire to be happier (whatever that means to them), richer, a better person, to stop smoking, work fewer hours, help more around the house, volunteer for charity work, learn something new. The list is endless.

However, some of us are more likely to commit to resolutions on a whim.

For instance, how many times have you been out for a drink and, on finding yourself half sozzled, find that inspiration suddenly appears from nowhere like it did with my good friend the other night?

"Shee come the New Year, hic hic?" announced a rather inebriated Angela." I'm having no more alcohol until Eashter."

We all laughed as we thought that this was a rather momentous commitment for Angela to make. "Until Easter?" I ventured.

"You'sh wait and shee," Angela slurred while raising a glass to her mouth. "Not a shing shall pash my lipsh till Eashter. Hic hic!! Not even sho much ash a shocolate liqueur," Which wasn't an easy thing for Angela to say.

"What no chocolate either?" we started to tease Angela.

"Nope. No shocolate. No alco, alco, alco em ... drink till Eashter. Hic hic!!"

We all agreed there was no point in disputing Angela's commitment as at that precise moment in time she really had convinced herself that her sobriety pledge (albeit just till Easter) was solemn and serious.

However, a recent university study revealed 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail within the first month, despite their confidence of success at the beginning.

It also revealed that willpower itself is inherently limited and that our January promises fail in large part because our brain isn't built for success. Apparently, according to the report, breaking resolutions down into smaller pieces seems to be the answer.

Christine then joined in the conversation.

"I'm always putting off till tomorrow what I could do today so, there'll be no more procrastinating in the New Year for me. That sounds like my perfect resolution."

"Pro. Pro.... whit?" asked our intoxicated pal.

"Procrastination," I answered, attempting to enlighten Angela. "It's when you put off, delay and postpone doing things until later rather than doing them at the time. "Do you get the gist of it?"

Angela nodded slowly.

"Christine, that's a great resolution to make," I encouraged my friend, adding: "I think most people could add that resolution to their list."

"Yes, definitely, it's perfect for me," replied Christine turning round with a big cheesy grin on her face. "I'm happy with my choice for 2015. It should really improve my daily life."

We all nodded before Christine looked to me for confirmation.

"So Janice, if it's a New Year's resolution. Does that mean that I don't need to do anything about it until January 1st?"

And after a long pause, I sighed.

"That's right Christine. You've got another few days left to procrastinate before your procrastinating ends. Good luck with that!"

And good luck with your 2015 New Year resolutions whatever they may be and hopefully you will see some of them through. At least until the end of January!

Happy New Year.