President’s Weekly Bulletin - How’s That New Year’s Resolution Going?
“Quitter’s Day” is the name given to the day when many people quietly abandon their New Year’s resolutions. It typically falls on the second Friday in January — this year, January 9th. I’m happy to report that I think I managed to get past that date. That said, statistics tell us that by the end of January, most resolutions have quietly disappeared, slipping away without much notice or ceremony.
Why is that? Perhaps it’s because we start the year with big intentions and even bigger expectations. We vow to exercise more, eat better, volunteer more, stress less, or finally tackle that project we’ve been putting off. January 1st feels like a clean slate, full of promise. But then real-life sets in. Winter weather, busy schedules, unexpected challenges, and simple fatigue all conspire to chip away at our resolve.
There’s something reassuring, though, in knowing we’re not alone in this struggle. Even the most disciplined among us can find it hard to sustain momentum. And maybe that’s the first lesson worth reflecting on: falling short of a resolution is not a failure — it’s part of being human.
In Rotary, we often talk about service, commitment, and making a difference. These are, in a way, collective resolutions. We don’t renew them just once a year; we recommit to them week after week, project after project. And like personal resolutions, Rotary commitments are not always easy. Fundraisers require effort. Service projects demand time and energy. Attendance can be challenging when life is busy or the weather is less than inviting.
Yet what makes Rotary different is that we don’t do it alone. When one of us feels tired or discouraged, others step in. When a project feels daunting, it’s shared among many hands. That sense of fellowship helps us keep going long after individual motivation might fade.
Perhaps that’s the takeaway as we move through the rest of January. Instead of asking whether we’ve perfectly kept our resolutions, we might ask a better question: What small step can I take today? Resolutions don’t have to be all-or-nothing. A short walk is better than none. One healthy meal still counts. One act of kindness still matters. One Rotary meeting, one volunteer shift, one conversation can make a difference.
And if your resolution has already slipped away? That’s okay. There’s no rule that says you can’t start again on January 27th, February 3rd, or any ordinary Tuesday. Progress doesn’t depend on the calendar — it depends on intention and persistence.
As Rotarians, we are proof that small, consistent actions add up to meaningful change. Whether in our personal lives or in our service to the community, what matters most is not perfection, but showing up — again and again.
So, how’s that New Year’s resolution going? If it’s still alive, well done. If it’s on life support, there’s still hope. And if it’s gone altogether, consider this your invitation to quietly begin again.
Thought for the week..
“We spend January walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done… maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives and not look for flaws” – Ellen Goodman
This Week's Zoom Meeting Details:
Topic: Weekly Rotary Meeting
Time: Jan 27, 2026, 2025 07:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81827939082
Meeting ID: 818 2793 9082
Passcode: rotary
