It's that time: New Year's resolutions.
People like to hit "reset" on Jan. 1 and start the new year with a clean slate. Although it's just another Tuesday, the beginning of 2013 will be a chance people to make resolutions to be better (or fitter, or more sober) human beings.
The practice of New Year's resolutions dates back to the ancient Babylonians. They made promises in order to earn the favor of the gods and start the year off on the right foot. Popular resolutions for Babylonians? Pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment.
These days, Americans' typically make promises related to self-improvement, like losing weight, helping others, quitting smoking, going back to school or getting a better job. This is a list of the 10 most popular New Year's resolutions from About.com.
But the truth is most people fail to achieve goals set at New Year's. A 2007 British study that surveyed 3,000 people found that 88 percent of resolutions fail.
How can you stick to those resolutions? Men who set smaller goals were more likely to fulfill their resolutions, while women who shared their promises to get support from friends were more successful. There are more tips in this Wall Street Journal article.
Even if you're not one to make resolutions for New Years, the end of December is a good time to search for promotions that could help you reach personal goals. For example, Walgreen's has a New Year's sale on nicotine gum and 24 Hour Fitness offers discounts for new members who sign up before midnight Dec. 31.
Tell us: What's your New Year's resolution for 2013? Have any tips that have helped you meet your goals? Post in the comment section below.
