Time to resolve!

Definition (as stated in Wikipedia): A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day. Some examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible.

In the United States, popular goals include resolutions to:

• IMPROVE HEALTH: lose weight, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smoking
• IMPROVE FINANCES: get out of debt, save money
• IMPROVE CAREER: get a better job
• IMPROVE EDUCATION: improve grades, get a better education, learn something new (such as a foreign language or music)
• IMPROVE ONE’S OWN PERSONALITY: become more organized, reduce stress, be less grumpy, manage time, be more independent, enjoy life more.
• SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS- make and maintain social connections, meet a partner, etc.
• TAKE A TRIP
• VOLUNTEER to help others

Are you in the habit of making resolutions? Do you believe in them? Do you fulfil them or belong to the group of people who forget about such good intentions?   If so, think about some that could apply to the following categories.

- Studying

- Exercise

- Money

- Habits

- New interests/ learning new things

- Family and friends

- Shopping

- My personality

- Other _____________________ 

Mine include focusing more on things I really want to do (and forget about less importantones), focusing more on people I want to be with/close to( and forget about less important ones), managing my finances better (i.e.: any good) and, well, becoming a better person, I guess.

The problem with making resolutions is that, generally, people do not keep and accomplish them in the end. The reason, I believe is that these resolutions are often  too vague, general, imprecise and ambiguous (not necessarily too ambitious, though), like "I want to lead a healthier life" or "I want to save more money", "I'm going to exercise more", "I want to change my personality for the better", "I want to spend more time with family and friends", etc. The lack of focus leads to poor planning, disinterest, apathy and finally failure in achieving our New Year's purposes.
The solution, in my view, has to do with setting for more specific goals, which can be realized with exact, definite actions; for instance "I'm going to try to avoid cravings as much as possible" or "I'm not going to pay commissions when using ATMs", "I'm going to take down my Instagram account as I'm almost 40 and it doesn't make sense uploading photos of myself acting as an adolescent, and  who nobody gives a damn about anyway" or "I'm going to join this cool hiking group a friend told me about" are more likely to finally come into being than those in the paragraph above.
Many will dismiss resolutions as another stupid exercise in self-pity and directionless post-Christmas introspection, since for the umpteenth time and after all the excesses of the Nativity period, we suddenly feel guilty and realize how incomplete our existence is.
Well, I personally believe that along our lives we have many opportunities to become a better version of ourselves, improve and be a better company for the people around us and, in the end, lead happier lives. And, if you ask me, it's never too late to change!

What's your take on this issue?