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Hi All,

New year’s resolutions are a common tradition that many people follow at the beginning of each year. They are usually goals or intentions that people set for themselves to improve some aspect of their lives, such as their health, finances, relationships, or habits. But why do people make new year’s resolutions in the first place? And how can they stick to them?

One possible reason why people make new year’s resolutions is that they see the new year as a fresh start, a chance to erase the mistakes of the past and start anew. The new year also coincides with the end of the holiday season, which can be a time of indulgence, stress, and excess. Therefore, people may feel the need to balance out their behavior and make positive changes in the new year. Additionally, making new year’s resolutions can be a way of expressing one’s hopes and aspirations, as well as a means of self-reflection and evaluation.

However, making new year’s resolutions is not enough to achieve them. Many people fail to keep their resolutions, either because they lose motivation, encounter obstacles, or set unrealistic goals. According to Forbes Health, in 2022 roughly 37% of adults made resolutions with only 12 percent of people who make new year’s resolutions actually stick to them. Therefore, it is important to have a strategy to make one’s resolutions more effective and attainable.

Some possible strategies are:

• Make specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. For example, instead of saying “I want to lose weight”, say “I want to lose 10 pounds by June by exercising three times a week and eating healthier”.

There’s an old adage that says the easiest way to eat an Elephant is “One bite at a time”.

• Break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps. For example, instead of saying “I want to write a novel”, say “I want to write 500 words a day for the next six months”.
• Use if-then statements to create action triggers. For example, instead of saying “I want to read more books”, say “If I have some free time, then I will read a book”. This can help to overcome procrastination and form new habits.
• Seek support from others who share similar goals or can provide encouragement and feedback. For example, join a group, find a buddy, or tell someone about your resolution and ask them to hold you accountable.
• Reward yourself for your progress and celebrate your achievements. For example, treat yourself to something you enjoy, or share your success with others. This can help to maintain your motivation and self-esteem.
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. For example, if you face a setback or a challenge, do not give up or feel guilty, but adjust your plan and try again. Remember that change is a process, not an event.

Why People Don’t Keep Their New Year’s Resolutions

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, hoping to improve their lives in some way. However, most of them fail to keep their resolutions for more than a few weeks or months.  In fact, failing at New Year’s resolutions is so common that there’s a lot of speculation on the (unofficial) dates commemorating such failures—some sources refer to “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” as January 17 while others claim the second Friday in January as “Quitter’s Day“. Why is it so hard to stick to our goals? Here are some possible reasons:

• We set unrealistic or vague goals. Many people make resolutions that are too ambitious, such as losing a lot of weight, saving a lot of money, or learning a new skill. These goals may sound appealing, but they are also very challenging and require a lot of time, effort, and resources. Moreover, some people make resolutions that are too vague, such as being happier, healthier, or more productive. These goals are hard to measure and track, and they do not provide clear guidance on what actions to take. A better way to set goals is to use the S.M.A.R.T. technique, which I’ve mentioned earlier.
• We lack motivation or commitment. Another reason why people give up on their resolutions is that they lose interest or enthusiasm over time. They may not have a strong enough reason or purpose for pursuing their goals, or they may face competing priorities or distractions. They may also lack the confidence or self-efficacy to believe that they can achieve their goals, or they may encounter setbacks or failures that discourage them. To overcome these challenges, it is important to find intrinsic motivation or passion for our goals, and to remind ourselves of the benefits and rewards of achieving them. It is also helpful to have a positive mindset, to celebrate small wins, and to learn from mistakes.
• We do not have a plan or support system. Finally, some people fail to keep their resolutions because they do not have a clear plan or strategy for how to achieve them. They may not break down their goals into smaller, manageable steps, or they may not schedule time or resources for working on them. They may also not have a way to monitor their progress or adjust their plan if needed. Furthermore, some people may not have the support or accountability they need from others, such as family, friends, or mentors. They may feel isolated or lonely in their journey, or they may face negative influences or peer pressure. To avoid these pitfalls, it is essential to create a detailed action plan for our goals, and to review and revise it regularly. It is also beneficial to seek out and join a community of like-minded people who can offer encouragement, feedback, and advice.

Lastly, try to remember that it’s not the end of the world if you didn’t make it this year. The best you can do is learn why and what went wrong. Use this as a learning exercise and try again next year.

I myself have set many resolutions throughout the years. Some were kept, some not. But I’ve learned more lessons from my failures than my successes, so I am thankful for them as well. And I feel that I am a better person for having at least tried to better myself.

In conclusion, people make new year’s resolutions for various reasons, such as to start fresh, to express their hopes, or to improve their lives. However, making resolutions is not enough to achieve them. People need to have a strategy to make their resolutions more effective and attainable, such as making SMART goals, breaking them down, using action triggers, seeking support, rewarding themselves, and being flexible. By following these strategies, people can increase their chances of sticking to their new year’s resolutions and making positive changes in the new year.

Keeping New Year’s resolutions is not easy, but it is not impossible either. By setting realistic and specific goals, finding motivation and commitment, and having a plan and support system, we can increase our chances of success and make positive changes in our lives.

Happy New Year

Respectfully,

Mario

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi