Episode Transcript
Everybody, welcome back to Sorted Sophisticated, the podcast where we talk about some really big stuff or totally irrelevant stuff, depending on your take on it, that we think makes us more engaging humans. Well, at least that's the premise anyway. I'm Pete, sitting across from me is my partner in podcasting crime, Amanda. Hello, Amanda. Hi! Um, but also, podcasting crime, really? Please, you're just being a little dramatic. I am very dramatic. Always. I'm the king of drama, people. It's true. Let's go. It's true. Speaking of podcasting, do you know where the term podcast even came from? No. No, wait, hold on. Was it from like the Little Apple things? It was. Yes. The iPod or whatever? So for some reason this was super interesting to me when I was like researching this episode. Was it actually the iPod? Yes. Oh. So it's a mushed together version of the word iPod and broadcast. That's so stupidly easy. It is. So I didn't even know this. So before the iPad comes along in 2001, it was called Audio Blogging or RSS Delivered Feed. But then when Apple launched the first iPod, it became, like, the number one portable device for listening to digital audio like, overnight. Yeah. And the name, like, stuck. Everyone had it. Yeah, because Apple, like, took over the world. Exactly. Right? Makes sense. So it's kind of like a band aid, right? Like, same concept? Because, I mean, it's an adhesive bandage, but everyone calls every adhesive bandage a band aid. Okay, yes, totally, exactly the same. I have an idea. Okay. I don't know if I'm ready for it, though. Okay, no, no, you have to be ready for this. Let's take turns writing a quiz. Let's take turns seeing how many brands we can name that have, like, Become synonymous with the thing that, like, that they are. This is gonna go really, really, really poorly. And then, like, yeah, the person that gets stuck life loses. Can we do this? Okay, fine. But I'm gonna go first. Okay, what? Band Aid. Shit! Cheater! Okay, so, so that was good. It's your turn, go ahead. Wait, wait, like, how much time do I have? Like, two seconds, go. Okay, uh, uh, Kleenex! Kleenex! Like, it's like really tissue paper, but everybody says, like, Pass me a Kleenex. Okay, okay go your turn Google like when you Google something it's now a verb so anytime you search anything online It's like let's Google it good one. Okay my turn I'm staring at one right now. How about post it notes or like post it? Like No one says pass the sticky note. They say pass the post it. Oh, okay. That was a good one. Fair, fair, fair, fair. Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. Oh, okay. No, no, no. Zoom. What about Zoom? Zoom? Yeah. Like whenever someone gets a face call, right? Yeah, like a face. I love that. Face call. Let's go. Right. No, no, no. You say Zoom. It's Zoom. It's not Teams or Google Meet or FaceTime. It's Zoom. Do you want to Zoom? In my defense, I do say teams sometimes. Yeah, but that's because that's what you use at work, right? You were conditioned for that. Before COVID. You're right, you're right, you're right. By the way, what's with all the tech stuff you're using? Like Google and Zoom. I'm over here doing old school post it notes. That's why I'm a millennial. High tech. Millennial. We were the first generation to experience technology. You know what we should do? We should do a podcast on millennials. We should. Okay, I think I'm gonna do that. That's a good one. I think that's our next one. Okay. Because we're the best. Okay, my turn. Shut up. God, my turn. Um, okay, speaking of old school, what about chapstick instead of lip balm? Let's go. I'm addicted. Every night I have to use it. Your turn. Go. Okay. I mean, you don't use Vaseline? No, I use ChapStick. Always. Oh, interesting. Okay. Uh, okay, here's for old school. Are you ready? What? Q tip. Oh, yes. Totally. I mean, anything you stick in your ear is a Q tip. Q tip. And even if it's not the brand Q tip, it's a Q tip. It's a Q tip. You are absolutely right. Um, Ziploc. Ziploc bags. You never say like, give me a plastic bag that closes. Give me a sealable plastic bag. You say Ziploc. Yes. Okay, all that same wavelength kitchen stuff. Tupperware. Tupperware? Yeah. Is that really one? Is Tupperware, is Tupperware a brand? Yeah, wasn't that like, you would go to Tupperware parties, right? Wasn't that like a thing back in your day? No way! Come on, there weren't Tupperware parties. Tupperware is the generic thing. No, Tupperware is a brand name. For what? For plastic, sealable storage containers, a. k. a. Tupperware. Like, I don't know what you want. Oh my god, shut up. But even glass stuff now is called Tupperware. So. I never even thought of that. That is, that is so ingrained in me, I never thought of that. Okay, now it's your turn. Um, iPad. An iPad? Yeah, like you say iPad, like instead of tablet. Okay, so no. Uh, that one doesn't count. Why? Because it's called a tablet. That's what they call it in school nowadays. It's tablet, not an iPad. Really? Yeah. But, I mean, I feel like the iPad. Is like the iPod. Right. So what are, what, so you are basically dating me. This is what's happening. A little bit. Little bit. We just bit, we just came full circle and I just got dated again. Okay. Thank you very much. Yeah. Mm-hmm Okay. But I mean the iPad to you is what? The iPod was fine. Whatever. Uh, can I, can I go again then? What about Jaz pod? Can I do a jacuzzi instead of hot tub or no? No, wait, no. We say hot tub. Wait, and I think you. Wait, that's it? It's over? Yeah, because you messed up. You suck! No, I don't suck. Yes! How are you deciding who just won? No, no, no. Okay, fine, I have another idea. No, no, no. You don't have another idea. I have another idea. I have one. What? I have an idea. What? Okay, are you ready? Yeah. Can we start yet? Oh my god, chill out! I will, I will. Listen, listen, listen. Listen what? Listen, let's not even call it a podcast anymore. Oh god. Wait, 'cause like who even uses iPods anymore? Like nobody. So what are we gonna Tm I, let's start a movement where you're going to, we are going to TM the shit out of this thing and go viral and we're gonna get famous. Uh, not 'cause we're good podcasters or anything, but because we came up, it's fine. With a new normal name for podcasts. Oh no. What? I don't think this is gonna fly. It's not gonna get traction. Okay. Okay, but I wanna know. What? But I don't wanna know. Oh no. What is it? What is what? Whatever this new TM is. I didn't get that far. I have no idea. I'm just in the flow. Leave me alone. Oh. Uh, what about like, Audio casting, or on demand audio, that's like way more descriptive than podcasting. You know, it's not as kitsy, but I guess you're maybe a little right in the fact that it's a little bit more accurate. That is actually what we are doing. Okay, listen. Just use the category and add cast at the end. Like, we'll call it a cooking cast, or a sports cast. Well, wait, sports cast is already a thing. Um, like a business cast. Right? Wait, so then what would this be called? I don't know, like, the Learn to Shitcast or something? Maybe, I, the Sophisticated Cast. Or like, Education Cast? Yes! Or Okay, Education Cast, that works, well, sort of. But I mean, that works perfect, I like that. Alright, but I have a question. Okay, what? Is it my turn? Yes, it is. Go. Is this actually, like, what we're talking about today? Is this the whole topic? Or did you officially hijack the episode? Oh my god, no, relax! And went on a tangent? No, no, no! Okay, good. Cause I was about to tell you there is no way This is gonna be interesting enough for us to talk about for half an hour. Okay, shut up First and totally everyone would be bored, but no faith in our audience. No, I have no faith in you. Oh, wow Okay, but I'm gonna get us back on track and introduce the episode, okay? Fine, just go. Okay, today, we're taking advantage of the whole New Year, New You thing, right? Have you seen it on all the socials? Oh, I have. And we're gonna talk about New Year's resolutions. Uh, yeah, well you better hurry. Because if you're anything like me, I'm about 10 days away from breaking all my resolutions. I mean, that's kind of my point. We're gonna do a little twist on it instead, though. Oh, a little lemon twist. Talk to me. Well, we all make resolutions, and then we all drop them, right? So instead of just talking about what they are, we're gonna talk about how to stick to them and not give up on them as fast as, you know, ten days from I like this. the start of the New Year. And then, at the end, we'll give a foolproof plan so you never have to worry about it again. And you'll be ready to take on any New Year's resolution that you want. I like this. This is awesome. I mean, because I totally need this help. If we get through it and you actually stick to it, then you know, we're gonna be like, I don't know, we're gonna be so much better than everybody else. Sort of psychologist. I don't know. I like that Okay. Um, do you think you could help this sort of like whole fat, lazy ass over here and, uh, gimme a really good plan, especially. A foolproof plan, like you just said. I don't know, that's a little ballsy. I don't know, that's kind of, you're setting the bar a little high here. Right, right, okay, hey, um, you know what we haven't done yet? I know we're halfway through this episode. We haven't even got to word of the day yet. Oh, dude, okay. Okay, go. Give me How about nugatory? Ooh, nugatory, that's a good one. What do you think it is? What do you think it means? I just took a big nougatory in the lavatory. Uh, okay, seriously, what does it mean? Uh, it means something that has no value or importance. Oh, perfect. So like everything we just talked about for like the last three minutes of this podcast episode. Or ten minutes, yeah. Oh, shit. About that. Excuse me. I mean education cast episode. Thank you. Nice try. We're completely nougatory. Okay, um. I'm glad you admitted it. Why don't we get on to the good stuff then? Give us some history on resolutions, and then tell us why everyone breaks them all the time. Oh, I'm gonna do it. You ready? I've been ready. Yeah, I know. You've been ready for a half hour. You've just been tangential. Okay. Do you know what it's like to live in this brain? Do you have any idea how hard this is? I don't. And I don't want to know. Okay. Well, be a little more kind hearted. But I do want to know about some history on resolutions, please. Okay. Fine. Thank you. Wow. Did you know that New Year's resolutions like date all the way back to ancient Babylon? Like 4, 000 years ago. When Stonehenge was being built. Nice recall to our winter solstice episode. Right? Thank you, I'm so good at this. Okay, so here's a super quick history and timeline. So it all started with something called Akitu. What? Akitu. A 12 day party that Babylonians threw that was the beginning of their agricultural season, like in mid March, during the spring equinox, or, uh, to be super sophisticated, the vernal equinox. Because if you remember, everything revolved around the sun, and the Earth's rotation, and the growing seasons, And the Babylonians called this festival, or party, the Akitu, the start of the new year. And they would mostly party and get drunk and everything. But, they also did two really important things. Super important. What were they? Totally important. One. was that they would make new promises to all their gods in return for what they would hope would be a massive harvest. And two, they would pay off all their debts and return all the things they borrowed from everyone else so that they would be back in, like, good standing in their community again, or like, their village. And as far as we know, these two things were considered the earliest forms of resolutions That we've been able to research and uncover. Well, go Babylonians. Right? Uh, yeah, until Alexander the Great came along 1700 years later and then killed all of them. Why you gotta get dark like that? Right? Well, because everything's about a podcast we've already done, right? So you got like, the whole like, equinox, which is like, goes all the way back to the solstice. Then you got Alexander the Great. Then even before that, you got like, Stonehenge. Like, we're, right, we're killing it. But where's Jesus? He's coming. Oh, okay. He's coming. So then like, Let's fast forward to Jesus. I mean, just really 'cause my, you say Babylonians and my brain goes to Jesus, so that's totally fine. I feel like it's on that same timeline somewhere. Why don't we just fast forward to Jesus right now. Wait, hold on. Are you trying to insinuate that Jesus had resolutions? Okay. No, not really. I'm just fast forwarding to like the time of Jesus. Okay. Well, like a little bit before, like 46 BC, like, and Julius Caesar establishes January 1st as the start of the new year. Cause if you remember the original Roman calendar was a lunar calendar that would always get out of sync with the solar calendar or like. I guess more like the solar year and it would require like these little tweaks and adjustments and piss everyone off and so in 46 BC good old Jules introduces something called the Julian calendar because he's an egomaniac like that Which was a solar based calendar that would line up with the seasons way better! Okay, I love all the sophistication here, but we're trying to be sort of sophisticated, so you just like went real deep. Because I still haven't like gotten what you're laying down here in regards to like New Year's resolutions. I'm getting there! Okay, but maybe a little faster? You gave me so much shit just to get there. Okay, fine. I just, my ADHD kicks in and I can't follow along. Fine. And I'm not making connections. Okay. So I need help. Okay, pay attention, people. Wait. Are you saying that my Julian Calendar explanation is a little nugatory? Fair. Is that, is that what you're trying to say? Well, well played. Well played. It has like no value or importance? You can suck it. Okay. Anyway. Moving on from my, like, impatient impatient, I'm just, I'm not tracking. If I'm not tracking, then I'm sure other people aren't tracking. Let's get back to Just saying. Let's get back to Julius. So when Julius sets this whole thing up to begin with, he dedicated the first month of the year to the god Janus, the two faced god of beginnings and transitions. And all the Romans who lived back then would make offerings to this Janus god and commit themselves to being better or doing some sort of self improvement for the new year. Which, of course, ties back nicely to resolutions. Thank you very much. I'm not nugatory. At all. Okay, so hold on. Cliff Note version is, started in Babylon 4, 000 years ago, when Stonehenge was being built. Yeah. And somewhere in there is a winter solstice, and they basically had a 12 day party. You're barely paying attention. They had a 12 day party. right and And then Jesus came along they kind of started it and then Julius Caesar came along during Jesus's time and Changed to January 1st. Yeah, and that's how resolutions kind of kept going. Yes. Okay. Okay. You're close enough Okay. All right. So fast forward another 1, 500 years. I'm going super fast now Okay, relax during the Middle Ages and the whole idea of resolution shifted like to more religion because of like Christianity because everything we talk about It has to do with Christianity, and all the medieval knights who didn't die from jousting. Oh my god, throwback jousting, let's go. Would Oh! What? To the Tournament of Roses. Yes, let's go! Okay, They would take something called a peacock vow. I'm sorry, what? Yeah, right. A peacock? Yes. Where they would promise I don't know! This is what it's called, I looked this up. They would promise for the new year to, I guess, like, uphold their chivalry, or like, chivalric duties. Chivalri is that a word? Chivalric? I don't even know. Okay, anyway, if you weren't a knight and you couldn't take like a peacock vow, instead you'd participate in something called the Covenant Renewal Service. Or Watch Night on New Year's Eve, and the whole idea behind that one was to deepen your faith in the upcoming year. So definitely some, like, religious undertones of, like, New Year's resolutions during the Middle Ages. Or, like, overtones. Oh, yeah, I guess you're right. I guess there are way more overtones than undertones. Yeah. Because Christianity did that. It was very interfaith. Yeah, yeah, yeah, they did. Okay, so then by the 19th century Am I going fast enough for you? Like, I'm already at the 19th century, thank you. New Year's resolutions became more, like, non churchy again, if that's a thing. TM non churchy. And started focusing on more personal growth than anything else. And with the rise of the printing press, Thank you, Benjamin Franklin, we're bringing it all together! We have, like, hit a lot. We are killing it. Yeah, this is amazing. Okay. Newspapers started publishing, like, New Year's resolutions, like, at least the common ones in newspapers. Like, quit drinking, or, like, work harder, or whatever everyone could, like, read and then play along with. And pretty much, That brings us to today where, like, resolutions are really more about self improvement than anything else. But the core idea of reflecting on last year and setting intentions for the new year is still, like, basically the same. Alright, but if we're so good at setting them, why then do we all suck at keeping them? Because I feel like everyone fails. Not everyone. That is a very broad term. Um, most people suck at continuing their New Year's resolution throughout the whole year. Okay, perfect. So the good news is we're not alone. It's all good. Actually statistically speaking over 80 percent of New Year's resolutions fail by the second week of February according to a survey I made up for this podcast. That's just six weeks. That's That's rough. Okay, by the way, I totally didn't make that up. I looked it up. So relax. Um, but the good news is It's not entirely our fault. Thank goodness gracious, okay Yeah, so most people fail Because they set resolutions that are way too vague or way too unrealistic and don't really have any follow through to begin with like it's all a Little too fluffy. So wait, are you telling me that when people, like, say, Oh, I want to be a millionaire this year, that that's not going to happen? Of course it's not going to happen. They totally suck. It's way too nugatory. Right? Yeah. Well played. But if you want to get all sophisticated about it, How about just a little sorta? Okay, fine! The whole reason resolutions fail in the first place is because they're always tied to this new year, new me vibe about earlier. Like you're trying to fix your entire personality all at once. Instead of making some like really specific, meaningful changes. Okay, so it's not just me reneging on my resolution, I can blame it on everyone else, sorta. Exactly. And let's be honest, that's the whole key to actually sticking to your resolutions. You have to turn them into goals by making them more specific and realistic. Like, have you ever heard of smart goals? Yeah, who hasn't? Yeah, so that's what you need to do. Right. If I'm tracking, right, we have resolutions that are just too vague and aspirational, and we need to make goals and objectives in order to be more focused and intentional. All right. So then it sounds to me like the best thing we can do is then combine them. I mean, I get the whole quote unquote idea behind the big bowl statements that resolutions make, like it might just be the push you need to get everything started. So even though there's no follow through, they can still be super important to kick things off mentally for people. Totally. But you kind of got to back that up with something super sustainable, right? Like the SMART goal? Am I getting it? Totally. Absolutely. And then we're going to be all set? This is perfect. Okay, so then I have a question. What? Is this a good example? Give me the example. Okay, so we start with a New Year's resolution like, I'm going to get healthier. Oh, I like I'm going to get healthier. Yeah, but it's super vague. And I know it's like perfect for your 2025 mantra and vibes that you're trying to put out there. Perfect for my 2025 mantra for sure. But you're sick of yourself, and you want to get healthier. Yep. Right? But then the next thing, and this is I think where people usually stop, is that you need to turn that into a SMART goal and break it down. But before we break down maybe how a SMART goal fits into all of this, should we go over what a SMART goal is? Totally. Yes, please do. Because we didn't do that yet. Yes. So, um, it's an acronym SMART, S is for specific, M is measurable, A is achievable, R is relevant and T is time bound. So if we can make goals that follow these five things in order to get healthier, it's going to be more productive. Totally. So let's kind of start with you want to lose 20 pounds by the end of 2025. Okay. I don't want to, I only, I only need to lose five pounds. You, but like, I don't know why you would say I have to lose 20 pounds. It was just, it's a general, I community. I it's an example. Don't be, don't be so sensitive. Wasn't your New Year's resolution to be nicer to me? No, that was yours to me. Okay, sorry. My bad. Um, but, okay, so an example, not you specific. Okay, fine. Thank you. Somebody wants to lose 20 pounds by the end of 2025. Yes. In order to do that, you have to break it down a little further. So, you are not just going to lose 20 pounds right away. So maybe it's more like, I'm going to lose 5 pounds each quarter, which is about a pound and a half per month. Okay, that seems reasonable. Yeah. That's doable. I get it. Yeah. It's a bite sized, smaller goal. Yep, yep, yep. We actually succeed more when we meet a goal, right? It gives us motivation to keep going. Totally. Okay. So then the first target that is lose five pounds at the end of March and then, but that's not enough. Wait, why? Because I like five pounds by the end of March. I can do that. Yeah, but you haven't figured out the how yet. Like how are you going to get there, right? You need to make very specific How about I stop eating hamburgers every night? I mean, I guess that would work if you eat hamburgers every night. Well, not every night, but a lot. I mean, okay, that's one way. Okay, sorry. But in order to lose those five pounds, you're also going to have to like walk 10, 000 steps at least four times a week. And maybe you're going to meal prep, so that way you're not going out to buy your hamburger every week. Like real planning. Yes, so just I mean you're breaking it down for yourself, right? But that breakdown is basically what a smart goal is. So you got to be like super precise is what you're saying Yeah, yeah, I mean definitely super specific I like that, but I mean if you fail or falter, it's okay But you're at least setting goals for yourself to meet. Okay, make it sound like a smart goal Then like big put it all together for me Okay, so the S would be specific, like we talked about, right? So, lose 20 pounds. Okay. And then your measurable is that you're going to be able to weigh yourself and track if you're on progress. Oh my god, kill me now. Fine, I'll do that. But you have to make it achievable as you go through time so that we don't get discouraged. So, five pounds a quarter. I like that. You know, big steps. Yes, yes, yes. Okay, and then you have to make it relevant. So if you're healthier, you're going to enjoy your life more, which makes you more motivated to continue. Or how about maybe I can just bend over and touch my toes. Or that. Yeah, okay, good. I like that. Okay. Um, and then your time bound is basically, you just said by the end of the year. So you know that over this amount of time, this is how long you have to accomplish your goal. I like that. Okay. So you can't just say, I want to be healthier. You got to like step by step. And we still have the mantra, I just want to be healthier. But now, achievable. And specific. Okay, like, you nailed that. You just like put that all together. You did the resolution, you did the SMART goal. There's a reason why SMART goals are in every corporation, right? Clear. Realistic, totally doable. But what I really love here is how the mantra, I just want to be healthier, keeps it from being just about numbers. Cause like, I don't do numbers. Like you do numbers. It's the guiding light of the whole thing. And honestly, breaking into those like bite size, like quarterly chunks is genius. It's progress without the pressure of perfection. I love this. And that's exactly, like, what I need to, like, lose my 20 pounds. That you didn't tell me to lose, but you really did. Okay. I mean, I did not. But also, you mentioned at the very beginning that there's some foolproof plan. So what is your foolproof plan for keeping your New Year's resolution? Sounds like you got some secret sauce or something. Okay, no secret sauce. And so you're telling me the SMART goals is not the secret sauce? Okay, full disclosure, I had to research all this because, uh, if I already knew how to do all this, I wouldn't need this episode in the first place. But I took the best parts of a bunch of different things and made it into like what I would call a super plan. So here we go. All right, so you pick three resolutions the rule of three no more No less one for your health one for your relationship and one for your personal growth All right, but what happens when people have more than three resolutions tough shit. That's like way too many So you're saying that we can only focus on three things? Yes. Yes. That's what's called setting yourself up for failure. Exactly. Trust me. This is everybody's problem. Because they're trying to change everything at one time. Okay. And then like you just said earlier, break each one into tiny manageable steps. Oh, and like, pick something like that already excites you. Like a hobby you love, rather than like something you dread. Like running. You're more likely to stick to it if it's something you genuinely enjoy. So wait. Are you saying something along the lines of, instead of learn a new skill, like how to invest in crypto, when you actually know that you're not going to do it, that we should be picking some skill that we actually want to do? For instance If you really want to learn a new language or something, you could go with Learn Spanish Every Day on Duolingo for at least 10 minutes. Okay, exactly. So ultra specific. Yes. It's something that you need to like, and then you need to make it manageable. Perfect. So then, like, next, after, like, you got your three resolutions, follow these, like, little hacks to help you get organized. First write it down keep it in front of you on like a sticky note Yeah, don't you mean post it note? Oh my god, whatever fine. See then the new example didn't actually work and I win I hate you. Um, like like I keep it on my mirror or something like a visual. Yeah, you keep a post it note Under mirror helps you with reinforcement. Thank you very much. Can I keep going or I just ignore it? Yeah What happens when I just ignore you don't ignore it you stare at it in your mirror because you always stare at yourself in The mirror because I know you um, I don't actually so next is super important create a routine Schedule the new habit. You're trying to form around an older habit You already always do, like I'll learn Spanish right after I brush my teeth in the morning. What if I don't have time? What if you don't brush your teeth? No. Like what if I don't have time to do it right after I brush my teeth? So you're, can I do a wall? I'm brushing my teeth. Absolutely you can if you do. Yeah, absolutely. Just do it. So you an overlap. Do it around. I can multitask. So get something you already do. Yes. I don't care what it is. If you're already doing situps, I don't really care if you're already, if you're driving to work and you're listening to, so I don't care. But it's gotta be part of a routine or you won't make this new thing. Part of a routine. You won't do it. You just won't add it in. Period. Then after that, you need to track your progress. Like, I don't even care. Like, whatever works best for you. Use an app, a journal, like, a checklist. Whatever you can so you can record the progress. Cause that's what's gonna help you, like, stay motivated. So like, make a little, a little chart and put gold stars on it. This is why Duolingo actually works, because I actually use Duolingo. And like, you want to keep your stupid shriek alive, so you keep doing the dumbass work. It's so stupid. But it works! It does. Okay. Uh, don't forget to celebrate small wins. You gotta reward yourself along the way. Uh, Amanda, cut the crap. At the end of the day, like, humans are really, really simple creatures. We'll do just about anything for our little dopamine hit, right? So just celebrate small victories at the end of a week. I mean, in theory we should be doing that in our life period, but okay. We don't. We should. And finally, set yourself a weekly or monthly check in, so you can figure out, like, if you have to tweak your approach, so you can stay aligned with your intentions. And that is my foolproof plan. Get on it, people. Well, I mean, not yours. It's the Google. But no, it's like the Google of the night cheat, it's the super plan. Write it down, create a routine. Track progress, celebrate small wins, monthly check in. Okay, but can I add one more thing? Totally. Let's make it a super, super plan. Go. Like, I think you need an accountability partner. Oh my god, totally. Good call. Can find a friend or family member to help, I think that's perfect. But as you so kindly point out, all of us are super lonely and maybe not all of us have family and friends that will keep us accountable. You can also find a group online. I feel like there's a million out there. right? With all the different socials. Basically, you just need someone to check in with you to make sure you are accomplishing your goals. And I think that's a huge difference. And sometimes I think it makes it a little more fun when you have a partner. That's totally true. So that's it. There you have it. We're done. The secret to sticking to your new year's resolutions. People figure out your mantra, set your SMART goals, use the rule of three, focus on habits and hold yourself accountable or have a friend to help you. And, let's not forget, you have to be kind to yourself. Oh my god, you millenials. Yes, because progress isn't linear. And one bad day doesn't mean you failed. Yes it does! Yes it does! I'm not saying we all deserve a participation trophy, but you gotta give yourself a little grace. Unlike these Gen Xers. A true philosopher over there. I'm so proud of you. Alright, so are we done? Is there anything else? Or, actually, I think we're done. Hold on. What? Is it fun fact time? Are there even fun facts about Oh, there's oh, let's go. Oh, by the way, my New Year's resolution this year was to get fu was to get to fun facts earlier anyway. So I just checked that box. Thank you very much. I don't know. It's like 40 minutes. Okay, fine, whatever. Um, but it's okay. You didn't fail. We'll just try again next time Oh, thank you so much millennial number one ready. Okay, guess what the most common New Year's resolution is Lose weight. Yeah, I think it's everybody it is totally it's been the top in America top resolution for 50 years Yeah, Close runner ups are eating healthier saving money and exercising more I mean, so we basically all just want to be rich hot Oh my god, pretty much. But at least now we have a way to do it. Thanks to this amazing audio cast episode. I have an idea. Oh my gosh, I can't believe you said audio cast. It just doesn't flow. It does. Why? It's podcast. Oh god, okay. I think everyone's New Year's resolution this year should be to walk 10, 000 steps a day while listening to this new amazing audio cast called Sorta Sophisticated. You are shameless, but also it's a podcast. Let's go stop audio. You're not making it. You're not making it. We're audio casting. Okay. Number two, fun fact. Do you know which country is most likely to keep their new year's resolutions? Switzerland. Wait, why Switzerland? Because it's always Switzerland. What? Yeah, they always have their ish together. That's why everyone wants Switzerland. Randomly close. Okay, it's actually Australia. Oh, where is Evan for this? Right? Nope. Is it actually? I'm gonna ask him. It's Australia. I'm gonna ask him what his New Year's resolution is. Um, research shows that Aussies New Year's resolutions have a higher success rate because, in general, their goals tend to be simpler and more realistic. Good on them. What is that all about? I don't know. Why are we not more Australian? Maybe they're hanging out in the outback all the time just like screwing around? Maybe because they're just more content with life. I think maybe that's it. Let's talk to, let's talk to Starrock. Okay, we'll have to ask. Okay, uh, fun fact. Three, Do you know what the Guinness Book =of World record is for most resolutions made by a single person in one year? No, but I bet it's something totally ridiculous. It's 1000 resolutions, a man named Michael. A thousand. A thousand? No. Yes. A thousand. Okay. A man named Michael Green vowed to accomplish this in one year. Yeah. I don't, I don't know if I believe it. Did he actually do it? No. Well, sort of. Um, he did more than half. Like, okay, but what were these resolutions Like? More than 500. Okay. Like smile today? Some. Okay. Some were easy. Like pet a llama, or like try a new flavor of ice cream, which I call total bullshit on. But others were way harder, like travel to all seven continents, or like play one round of Russian roulette. Really? Actually. Okay. Why would that be a resolution though? That is not a resolution. Yeah, no, it is, but he lost, and that's why he only finished 500, because he died. Stop it. Okay, I'm just kidding. Oh yeah. That would be so funny, okay. See, I can never know when 7 liar. We should have never done that episode. I literally regret that episode. Because now you have a thing for me. Okay, um, next fun fact. We already know that 80 percent of people give up on New Year's resolutions by February. But do you know how many people even make them to begin with? Almost 50 percent of Americans make them. One out of two. Dude, that's more than I thought. Amanda, 25 percent of people quit in one week. I mean, you're, you're just like a little bit after that. It's, oh. You said 10 days from now, that'll be the 18th. I hate you. 50 percent quit by the end of January, and then 80 percent quit by the middle of February, like we said earlier. So quick math, math major, 10 percent of anyone who makes a resolution Actually has a good chance of keeping it. 1 out of 10! Holy shit, that sucks! So you are definitely one of the 9 out of 10. Uh, okay. Except for this year, because you're going to change. I'm changing all, I'm losing 20 pounds because you're making me. Um, okay. I'm not doing anything. Shut up, yes you are. I have one bonus that's not really about New Year's resolutions. It's just like New Year's in general. Can I do that one? Okay. You know where the tradition of kissing at midnight on New Year's came from? Mistletoe? Mistletoe? I don't know. So do you remember, uh, shout out to Saturnalia from the Winter Solstice episode? What? Yes. Saturnalia. The Roman, like, feast? Uh huh. Yeah, totally. It was that big midwinter feast honoring the Roman god Saturn. Anyway, part of the festivities included Kissing at Midnight, which was believed to mark the end of the old year, and started the new one as an expression of goodwill. How's that for super fun fact? That is a super fun fact. And muscles look pretty good today, so good work. Thank you very much Before you wrap though, can you just like give us a recap cuz I think we went a little tangential some places So this is the part where I take notes, so I don't forget any of the important stuff We just talked about and put it on my post it note so I can stick it on my mirror Totally you love the post it note. I nailed it with a post it note. That was the best one. I mean, okay Okay, you did say sticky note. Okay. I only have one thing that we need to do We need to watch a movie called. Yes, man Yes, man. Yes, man. Yeah. The 2008 Jim Carrey movie. Where he makes this vow to say yes to everything. Is it like yes day? No. It's about yes man. Not yes day. Okay. Yes. What's yes day? It's where the parents allow their kid to have a yes day, so whatever the kid asks for Same exact thing. Oh, okay. Totally. Okay. So it's not even about New Year's resolutions or anything. This movie's about, like, just saying yes to everything. So it gives you the idea to, like, be open to just, like, new stuff in general. And besides, it's Jim Carrey, and he's hilarious, so you have to watch it, okay? How does that tie in with New Year's Resolutions? It doesn't at all. It's just like, you're saying yes, and like, so you're like, I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do that. Like, it's just sort of, it's a very positive experience. Just watch the damn movie. Okay. And then, remember these important details to seem, um, sort of sophisticated. Ready? New Year's Resolutions date back over 4, 000 years to the Babylonians. Who made promises to their gods during the festival called a key to as a way to repay debts and return to borrow items. Remember, don't just pick something generic, like exercise more, go deeper, people, more specific, more specific. Think about what you truly want to achieve or experience and make it specific and actionable by using. Smart goals. S M A R T. Let's go. Remember, most resolutions fail because people try to do too much too fast. Break it down into manageable steps, and don't forget to celebrate your progress along the way. Small wins add up. And finally, if resolutions aren't your vibe in general, try picking a theme or a word for the year instead. It's all about, like, setting the vibe for 25. Ooh, I gotta TM that. Setting the vibe for 25. I mean, that was actually pretty good. I like that. Okay. Not making it some strict to do list. Words like adventure or growth or just balance can help guide what you want to do while still keeping things pretty flexible But make sure to make it specific Let's go. Alright, well, there you have it. Fellow listeners. The story of New Year's resolutions. A tradition rooted in history, psychology, and the universal desire of self-improvement. New Year's resolutions are more than just personal goals. They're a reflection of human optimism, the belief that we could always do better, and a shared ritual that connects cultures across time and geography. Preach it. Sister, from the ancient promises of Tu. To the modern trend of choosing yearly themes, is a story of tradition evolving with the times. So, if we've done our job right today, you're leaving a little more sophisticated, armed with fun facts, and some life hacks to actually help your friends stick to their resolutions this year for once. Whatever you decide. The goal is to make this year better, not perfect. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with anyone who loves learning something new. Until next time, stay curious and stay inspired. And hey, don't stress if you stumble. Unlike Pete, there's always next year. Or next week. Or honestly, there's also tomorrow. Uh, and on that note, happy new year everyone. Let's make it a good one.
