An annual tradition for many people at New Year’s is to make resolutions. According to the New Year’s Resolutions in the U.S. — a study of the preferences and trends of people in the U.S. conducted by educational research company Scholaroo — 40 percent of Americans plan to make some type of resolution. Seventy-nine percent of them are very optimistic that they will be able to keep their goals throughout the next year. Of the remaining 21 percent, 13 percent were not very confident and 8 percent were not at all confident they could keep their resolutions.

In the Lincoln County area, a few people shared their resolutions for 2023:

• “Work hard so I can afford to fish more.” — HC

• “Spend more time with family and friends, be more in the moment, and love more Christ-like.” — Emily Pollard

• “Pray more.” — BL

• “Pray more, make better health a priority, create a budget and stick to it, do more for others.” — DC

• “Work hard to make a positive difference in the community.” — Tony

• “Be truly helpful and useful, with a smile, a kind word, a helping hand; to hold my tongue; to do good with no reward in mind; to do right simply because it’s right.” — David

• “Quit drinking Diet Coke, make healthier choices.” — April

According to Scholaroo, the three most popular resolutions so far for 2023 in America are:

1. Want to live healthier (23 percent)

2. Want personal improvement or happiness (21 percent)

3. Want to lose weight (20 percent)

Other information from Scholaroo:

Men in general want to lose weight slightly more than live healthier or be happier. The top seven resolutions for men related to: (1) career or job goals; (2) improving relationships; (3) financial goals; (4) exercising; (5) travel or moving; (6) stop smoking; and (7) reduce drinking.

Women in general want to live healthier or gain personal improvement or happiness more than lose weight. The top seven resolutions for women related to: (1) career or job goals; (2) financial goals; (3) travel or moving; (4) improving relationships; (5) exercising; (6) stop smoking); and (7) reduce drinking.

By age, 18-29-year-olds prioritized improving relationships and career or job goals far above any other category. Men and women age 30-44 prioritized financial and career/job goals above other categories. People aged 45-64 focused on financial goals, exercising, career goals and traveling. Individuals age 65 and older chose career/job goals as their top priority, followed by travel.

By income level, those who make less than $50,000 annually are making resolutions about financial and career goals, but put travel as most important. Those who make $50,000 to $100,000 a year prioritized career goals above all else. Those who make more than $100,000 annually also prioritized career goals above other areas, but followed it closely with travel goals.