Malaysia's high society on making New Year's resolution

We ask four individuals on their resolutions that never come to fruition and how to make realistic goals for the new year.

We have kickstarted the first week of 2015 and it is also time to go on the annual ritual of listing down your New Year's resolutions. Here we talk to four personalities including James Tee, Elyna Effendi, Xandria Ooi and Ruben Gnanalingam about how to make realistic goals for the new year.

 

James Tee
I wanted the number of kids equivalent to a futsal team but my wife decided to stop at two. She wants to keep up with her fitness in the new year so my new resolution is to play tennis. Why tennis, you may ask? It is the punchline to why that resolution failed. A futsal team requires five players, but tennis only needs two. I shall work on strengthening my bond with my daughters through tennis.

Elyna Effendi
I have made several resolutions in the past relating to health in some way or form. Those were not so realistic as they were perhaps more extreme versions of what I have already been practising. It all comes down to maintaining a good balance. This year, I am only sticking to one resolution; to become more patient and compassionate towards my friends, family and colleagues. Reducing stress will allow me to enjoy more important things.

Xandria Ooi
I believe in aiming for perfection with no expectations, which is why the journey of a ‘resolution’ is as, if not more important, than a goal. The experience of trying to achieve something is already an achievement in itself. Realistic resolutions need to be broken down and constantly reflected upon, which is why I never set yearly resolutions. Develop a weekly or monthly plan and work on it. Consistency is the secret to achieving any goal and it’s the celebration of our little successes that spurs us to move forward.

Ruben Gnanalingam
Most of my resolutions have been to either lose weight or quit smoking. The first one I failed in some years and did alright in other years. The second one, I failed for many years but was finally successful last year. I guess it was due to my focus and determination the last time around. I don’t make resolutions anymore because I never really believed in them anyway. I just try my best to live a healthy lifestyle.

 

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