Every January 1st, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions. This is the year they are finally going to stop smoking, lose that unwanted weight, start exercising regularly, run a marathon, or find a new career…. The list is endless, the resolve is genuine, but the results….? Well, very few people actually follow through.
By January 15th, a significant percentage has already forgotten their resolutions, and another large percentage has tried working towards their goal only to quickly give up. After all, habits are hard to break and new ones are hard to develop. We are creatures of habit, and even though we say we want to change, most of us don’t follow through with our resolve.
Part of the problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they tend to be a set up for failure. Too many people think that once they slip and go off the diet, or sneak a cigarette, or miss a day (or two or three) at the gym, then they’ve blown it for the entire year so they might as well stop. The slate is no longer clean, and it won’t be for another 350 days (give or take a few) …or so the rationale goes.
Rather than getting into this vicious circle, it is better to determine what your long term goals are and create a plan that has nothing to do with a major event (such as New Year’s, a birthday, or even the first of the month). Instead, decide to start today and do something (even if it is very small) every day to move your closer to your goal.
For example, rather than trying to quit smoking cold turkey (which very few people are able to do successfully) make a decision to slowly taper the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. Focus on each small success rather than any “failures”. New Year’s resolutions tend to put us in an “all or nothing” mindset, and that doesn’t leave any room for a slip, which is inevitable for most of us.
Since success breeds success, if you focus on each small success (e.g., each cigarette you chose not to have, or each dessert you bypassed, or each time you exercised for at least 20 minutes) you begin building momentum. Rather than being your own worst enemy you become your greatest cheerleader.
Keep track of the successes where you can see them every day. And remember, NO success is too small to acknowledge. Before you know it, all though successes will add up and you will have succeeded at achieving your goals regardless of whether you start on January 1st of April 13th!
What are your thoughts about making New Year’s Resolutions?
