The arrival of a new year is typically an occasion for making a commitment to improve and/or renew oneself. This commitment often takes the form of one or more “resolutions.” The meaning of a “resolution” depends on the context. In government circles, it refers to a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent voted on by an official body, such as a city council or a school board. In a literary work, it refers to the point at which the main dramatic complication is worked out. In computer graphics, resolution is a measure of the sharpness or clarity of an image.

But when talking about a New Year’s resolution, we mean a firm decision — often articulated to others — to engage in or avoid a certain behavior. The following would qualify as resolutions:

• I will make an effort to be friendlier to my in-laws.
• I will be more helpful to my colleagues at work.
• I will be more frugal with my money.
• I will improve my skills as a pickle ball player.
• I will not engage in any reckless driving.
• I will improve my physical fitness.

There is a problem with these sample resolutions. It has nothing to do with their intent, which is obviously good. The problem is there are no identifiable outcomes that will indicate whether the resolutions have been kept or not. That’s why I believe it is better to have New Year’s goals rather than resolutions. A goal is an outcome or an idea of the future that the goal-setter wants to achieve and has the ability to achieve. With this in mind, let’s re-phrase those six resolutions so they are goals:

• I will invite my in-laws to at least four social events at my home this year.
• I will answer all e-mail messages from my colleagues within 24 hours.
• I will have at least $1,000 in my checking account at the end of each month.
• I will win at least half of all the pickle ball games I play.
• By December 31, I will not have been cited for any moving-vehicle violations.
• I will work out at the gym for at least 30 minutes, three times a week.

To be sure, there may be obstacles that will make it difficult or even impossible for the goal-setter to achieve these outcomes. Perhaps an unskilled partner will prevent him or her from winning half of the pickle ball games played. Perhaps an injury will force the goal-setter to stay away from the gym for a week or more. The point is, because there is an identifiable outcome that goes with each goal, the goal setter will know if that goal has been attained or not.

Besides knowing the difference between goals and resolutions, we should also know how both of those affirmations differ from wishes. The meaning of “wish” can also vary depending on context, but it typically means a desire for something that wish-makers probably have little or no ability to achieve, at least by themselves. My child will win a scholarship to an Ivy League University; The Ohio State Buckeyes will win the national college football championship; we will live a world free of poverty and hunger. For most of us, these are wishes, not goals or resolutions. One can build up a college fund for a son or daughter, cheer the Buckeyes from the stands, and volunteer at a food pantry. But many more things will have to happen before those wishes can come true.

Whatever wishes, goals, and resolutions you make for 2025, I hope you have a safe and happy New Year.