New Year’s Resolutions = Failure

One of the most common traditions at the start of the new year is setting new year’s resolutions. People often make resolutions with the intention of improving some aspect of their lives, such as exercising more, eating healthier, or saving money. However, despite good intentions, many people struggle to follow through on their resolutions and end up abandoning them within a few weeks or months.

There are a number of reasons why new year’s resolutions often fail.

One reason is that there is nothing significant about the new year. It is simply another day, and the passage of time does not magically improve a person’s ability to change their habits or achieve their goals. While the new year may provide a sense of motivation or a fresh start, these feelings are often short-lived and do not necessarily translate into sustained behavior change.

Another reason why resolutions fail is that they put too much emphasis on motivation.

Motivation can be fickle and is influenced by a variety of factors such as stress, mood, and external events. Relying on motivation to sustain long-term behavior change can be unreliable and can lead to disappointment when motivation fades.

While it is certainly helpful to be motivated when trying to achieve a goal, it is important to recognize that motivation alone is not enough to sustain the effort and discipline required to make lasting changes.

Resolutions are also often too big and too difficult for people with low levels of discipline.

This is talking about most people. Setting unrealistic goals that require significant effort and discipline can be overwhelming and can lead to burnout or frustration. For example, if someone who has never exercised regularly before resolves to work out for two hours a day, six days a week, they may quickly become overwhelmed and unable to maintain this level of commitment. Similarly, if someone resolves to save a large percentage of their income, but does not have a plan for how to achieve this goal, they may struggle to make progress.

Resolutions can also build a false sense of hope.

People may feel optimistic and motivated at the beginning of the year, but when they fail to meet their goals, they may become discouraged and give up. This can lead to a cycle of setting and abandoning resolutions, which can be frustrating and demoralizing.

So, if new year’s resolutions are so prone to failure, what can be done to set meaningful goals that are more likely to be achieved? Here are some tips for setting goals that are more likely to succeed:

Start small.

The smaller the goal is, the easier it will be to get started and build momentum. For example, instead of resolving to exercise for two hours a day, six days a week, try starting with a goal of exercising for 5 minutes a day, three days a week. This will be more manageable and will give you a sense of accomplishment as you build up to your larger goal.

Make the goal action-based instead of outcome-based.

This means focusing on the steps that need to be taken to reach the goal rather than the end result. For example, instead of resolving to “lose weight,” try setting a goal to “exercise for 30 minutes a day” or “eat a serving of vegetables with every meal.” These actions are within your control and can help you make progress toward your larger goal.

Don’t get obsessed with the goal, be obsessed with the process.

It is important to enjoy the journey towards your goal and to appreciate the progress you are making. Focusing on the small wins along the way can help you stay motivated and engaged.

Devote small amounts of time to your goal each day or week. Rather than trying to make a large, overwhelming change all at once, it can be more effective to make small, incremental changes over time. By devoting just a few minutes a day or a week to your goal, you can make progress without overwhelming yourself.

Learn how to be more intense, for shorter periods of time.

Rather than trying to sustain a high level of effort and discipline for long periods of time, it can be more effective to work intensely for shorter periods and then take breaks to rest and recharge. This can help you stay focused and motivated without burning out.

Make the goal about identity and lifestyle change instead of just about the outcome.

By focusing on the long-term benefits of your goal, such as becoming healthier or more productive, you can create a sense of purpose and motivation that goes beyond just achieving a specific outcome. This can help you sustain your effort and discipline even when faced with challenges or setbacks.

New year’s resolutions often fail because they rely on factors that are difficult to control. To set meaningful goals that are more likely to be achieved, it is important to start small, focus on the process, and make the goal about identity and lifestyle change.

Rather than worrying about planning, massive goals, and motivation levels, the most important thing is to just get started. By taking small, incremental steps toward your goals, you can build momentum and create lasting change in your life.