A couple of people have been of the Fuck New Year's resolutions ilk in this thread for the same reason you mention. I can't speak for everyone but the resolutions that I mentioned are things that I've been working towards for a while. I didn't just start running on Jan 1st, I haven't just started being a husband and father etc. These are things I am constantly striving to be better at, therefore I just decided to put a more concrete focus on them for 2013. I am by default a goal oriented person, I make daily, weekly, monthly, annual and life goals. I like using the first of the year as a way to challenge myself. I have set up a 10 mile run for March. I'll likely do a 1/2 marathon in April and in June I'll begin shooting for a 15 mile run -which will be the furthest I've ever gone. -HOW COOL IS THAT? Then eventually towards the end of the year I will run my first full Marathon. I like the do the right thing resolution. It's a hard one and is the reason so many people wear those WWJD bracelets.