We are now two weeks into the New Year and, according to recent studies, between 70 and 90 per cent of all resolutions fail within the first month.

In 2009, Hertfordshire University psychologist Richard Wiseman surveyed 700 people who made resolutions, most of which aimed to lose weight, give up smoking, gain a qualifications or improve a relationship.

But 78 per cent of them failed.

Many of those who did not succeed focused on the downside of not achieving the goals and found it too difficult to suppress cravings.

But what about the 22 per cent who succeeded? Is that not 22 per cent more people who would not have achieved self-improvement without resolutions otherwise?

Have your say: tell other readers what you think and if you have any unusual resolutions for 2014.

Yesterday's poll:

If you have a Talking Point you'd like to discuss with readers, email digitalmedia@london.newsquest.co.uk or tweet me @OmarOakes.