[tunesmith]

I think this is needlessly discouraging.

The end of a year really does correspond to a lot of things that end. The tax year, project deadlines, the big holiday season is over, reconnecting with family via reunions, etc. There very much can be a feeling of wiping the slate clean and starting fresh, and that isn't just a superstition; it aligns with things that actually happen in our lives.

So there's nothing wrong with using that extra bit of space of psychic room to do some reflection and come up with some new goals.

[estevaoam]

I agree with you. I don’t understand why some people get annoyed about this. Any desired life change starts with goal setting.

Easy to say “just do what you’re supposed to do” as if that phrase by itself had magic powers. It is known that motivation and habit is a fairly complex process, so I don’t get why we still get such reductionist comments around here.

We need more empathy and less criticism toward others, specially when they’re trying to improve themselves.

[langsoul-com]

It just needs a bit of rewording to sound more encouraging.

If you failed the last new years resolution, then reduce the scope of the goal and then start today. Lumping goals into the new year tends to make them too difficult to achieve. Start small and snowball. Don't wait.