A New Year's resolution is a promise that a person makes to do an act of sefl-improvement. 

The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned.

In the United States, popular goals include:

Lose weight
Get out of debt
Become more organized
Save money
Improve school grades
Get a better job or education
Start a healthy diet
Drink less alcohol
Quit smoking
Take a trip
Learn something new (such as a foreign language or music)

What about you? Do you have a New Year's resolution?

Photo credits:

Happy New Year 2010 © Seeni Vasagam- Fotolia.com

Oh no © Dave- Fotolia.com