I don't recommend them and each year publish a variation of the following:
RESOLVED, that for the year 2008, I ____________________ will ____________. Lots of people are making resolutions. You can, as well. But study after study tells us that most New Year's Resolutions don't last. Why? 1) The timing is arbitrary, not tied to an immediate concern; 2) People frequently make too many resolutions - adding a little more to an already full plate; 3) January and February, with their "iffy" weather, can often be disruptive to your regular schedule impeding a strong start. The odds are against success - even with the best of intentions. All of which leads us to failure, frustration and fragmentation - yes, we fail and end up feeling lousy about ourselves. It doesn't have to be.

In fact, I advise my clients, mentees and friends, who ask, against making New Year's Resolutions, and against making too many commitments. Fewer commitments allow you to be in the moment with those you do make and result in higher productivity.

Thought to Action: Make your commitments (aka resolutions) when the time to commit is upon you whenever that happens during the year. Limit yourself to 3-5 intermediate term initiatives (1-3 years) or 2-3 lifelong goals, or some combination of the two, but never more than 5. Don't add another commitment until you have an opening and celebrate your successes when they happen. A closing quote comes to mind, "See everything, overlook a great deal, improve a little." (Pope John XXIII)

NB ? In case you are interested, the Internet (I do love it) tells us that the tradition of making New Year's Resolutions began with the Babylonians, whose most popular resolution (according to my Internet source) was to return borrowed farm equipment.