New Years Resolutions

Wow every year as new year roles around every one starts asking about new years resolutions.

Do you make them?
If so do you ever complete them?

Last years "resolution" was to quit smoking. (But then again it had been my NY's reso for the past 5 years.) I actually did it this year though. I was ready in myself and i made the commitment and did it. With the help of Champix. I think having goals are a good thing. (You can tell that by my other posts). But what is the point in setting a goal for the sake of setting a goal? As i said for 5 years previous i had set myself the goal of quitting smoking. Why? Because smoking is bad for me, cost too much money, etc.... Not because i actually wanted to do it. The truth is i enjoyed smoking, i enjoyed my 5 minute ciggy break to cut the rest of the world out for just a few minutes when i needed to. It was of course an excuse. But one that i chose to believe. While quitting smoking is not an easy thing to do, it is an easy thing to say you want to do.
So back to my point... Why set a goal for the sake of setting a goal. I have things i want to achieve. And i try to set myself time lines that are realistic and achievable. But why do i feel pressured into making a new goal of putting it out there for the whole world to know.
Is New Years Eve a good time to make up your years ambition? Cause while drinking away the year that was 2010 i don't think that i will be struck with a ambition i truly feel i should be dedicating my whole next year too.
I mean should i be making generic resolutions like, i want  to focus on my family, you know my husband and kids and making sure i am a good mother? Because of course that is important. Any one who knows me, knows that my family come first and always will...
So i guess i am just wondering where did the making of resolutions come from and how much do people really invest in achieving them?