“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” – Benjamin Franklin Nearly half of all Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only about 8 percent are successful. Be it losing weight, getting organized, spending less and saving more, enjoying life or quitting smoking, the odds are stacked against those who make those annual pacts with themselves. New Year’s resolutions date back to ancient times.