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Whoops: May 18 was best day to change your life

25 May 2005

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A University tutor has produced a formula which suggests May 18 is the optimum date for life-changing resolutions.

Dr Cliff Arnall, a part-time tutor in the Centre for Lifelong Learning, was challenged to find the ideal day for positive thinking.

He devised the formula M x O + Bh (H+R) x S to discover that New Year resolutions stand a better chance of success if they are made on May 18.

Under the formula M stands for motivation and O for opportunity while Bh is bank holiday proximity.

The H in the second half equals increasing hours of daylight, while R equals reflection time and S, simply success.

Dr Arnall, a specialist in happiness, motivation and confidence, hit headlines around the world in January with a formula for the most depressing day of the year — January 24.

His latest formula results from a challenge by the Get On campaign, run by the Department for Education and Skills under the Government Skills for Life strategy.

Dr Arnall said: "If you've got your heart set on a promotion at work or are fed up struggling to work out change in the supermarket, May 18th is the day to take the first step."

From Cardiff University

25 May 2005
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