Why do New Year’s Resolutions Fail?
New Year’s resolutions are a common practice, but the sad reality is that they often fail. In fact, research suggests that up to 80% of people who make New Year’s resolutions will fail to keep them by February. But why do so many people fail at keeping their New Year’s resolutions? And how can we actually stick to them?
One reason why people fail at keeping their New Year’s resolutions is that they often set unrealistic goals. For example, someone might resolve to go to the gym every day for an hour when they haven’t been exercising at all for months. This is a recipe for failure, as it is unrealistic to adhere to such strict habits overnight. Instead, it is better to set smaller, achievable goals that work towards the larger goal. For example, that person could start by going to the gym two or three times a week for 30 minutes, and then slowly build up from there.
Another reason why people fail at keeping their New Year’s resolutions is that they lack accountability. Telling a friend or family member about your resolution can make it more concrete and increase the likelihood of achieving it. In contrast, keeping your resolution a secret can make it easier to give up or forget about. Additionally, joining a group or club with similar goals can help in creating a supportive environment and accountability system, which makes it easier to stick to your resolution.
Tools to Help You Stay Committed
Furthermore, people might fail at keeping their resolution due to a lack of planning. Having a goal in mind is great, but without a plan, it is difficult to accomplish anything. Breaking down the goal into smaller, more manageable steps can make it easier to achieve. Additionally, creating regular check-ins to assess progress towards the goal can keep you on track and motivated.
Another key factor in sticking to a resolution is to celebrate small accomplishments along the way. Motivation and persistence come from seeing progress and results. Set small milestones that can be celebrated with a reward, such as a favorite meal or night out, once accomplished. This creates positive momentum and encourages the continuation of the journey towards the larger goal.
Another common mistake is not tracking progress. It is crucial to keep track of progress towards the resolution goal. Progress may not always be visible in the first few days or even weeks. Tracking progress by keeping a journal or using an app can help to see the milestones accomplished, and further down the line, it serves as a confidence booster to validate the effort made towards the bigger purpose.
Lastly, one key aspect of successful resolution-keeping is being gentle with oneself. Perseverance can be difficult, and relapses may occur from time to time. Adapting and creating alternative plans are key to moving forward towards the resolution. Overcoming impediments and setbacks requires a focus on the big picture and using it to redirect one’s intentions towards the set goals.
In conclusion, sticking to our new year’s resolutions can be challenging but achievable. It takes being realistic, holding oneself accountable, planning, breaking down the goal, tracking progress, celebrating accomplishments, and persevering during setbacks. The journey towards our desired resolutions is often more important and fulfilling than the destination itself. Happy resolution!
