The primary concern on New Years Eve (other than getting drunk on bubbly and going to parties) is preparing to follow through on your New Years Resolution.

It is a noble activity. Changing something you dislike about yourself to improve the quality of life is a great goal. Whether promising to give up alcohol, to do all your homework, or to keep yourself organized, there is no better time to do so than the start of a new year. New Years Eve is the birth of a new year, symbolizing a new beginning for all of us. It gives us the option to reincarnate ourselves as whoever we want. An employee at the local Starbucks swears that when the New Year starts he’ll quit his job and invoke beautiful imagery with his pen as a poet. He will become the Poet Laureate with his prose.

His aspirations are radiant, inspiring others to fulfill their own dreams… but if he needs the New Year as a catalyst for his actions, then how motivated is this man really? His resolve isn’t as strong as it needs to be for him to become the greatest poet of his generation if he simply waits until the end of the year to fulfill his dreams and utilize his potential to the fullest. If he waits until the end of the year to begin his journey, what makes you think he has the resolve to stay on his path till the end?

This man is selfish. He is depriving the world of his thoughts and words just because he is too lethargic to change his life and the life of every person who would’ve read his writing. The writing may have altered history with an idea, a powerful thing, something so dangerously new and dynamic that it could shatter the status quo. Unfortunately, this man’s resolve was not strong enough. He continues to work at Starbucks.

Before I continue, I realize how radical this situation is. It is extreme to an excess. But if applied to an individual in a much more realistic manner, then what? A man decides to quit smoking. He continuously reassures himself that December 31st will be his final day to smoke. He does well for a couple of weeks, but, slowly, he degenerates back to his smoking.

The more I write, the more I realize this is more about the relationship between motivation and being your own catalyst. An arbitrary force, such as a date, should not be what compels you! It should be your desire for self improvement! New Years, though a perfectly valid time for betterment (as much as any other time), should not be necessary for you to begin your journey! I recognize the symbolism, but is it necessary? If you really cared, you would not wait until New Year’s Day; you would begin the second you realize there’s a need for the change.

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What? Stop reading. I did my part. I was motivated enough to write that!