Many of us make new year’s resolutions to become better versions of ourselves each year. But unfortunately, most of us quickly lose momentum and ultimately fail to keep our resolutions.
Why is this? Why do so many of us have trouble keeping to our New Year’s resolutions?
This article will discuss why we fail to keep our resolutions and discuss strategies to help us stay on track and reach our goals.
Why We Make Resolutions
Every year, many of us make resolutions to better ourselves and our lives. We vow to make changes to help us reach our goals and dreams but often find it difficult to stick with them. So why do we make resolutions in the first place?
For most of us, resolutions are a way to start fresh and progress toward something new. They can be small steps, such as making healthier choices, or large leaps, such as learning a new language or saving money.
Whatever our resolutions may be, they all stem from the same idea: a desire for improvement. Making resolutions gives us a sense of purpose and direction. It’s like setting a course for our lives.
It’s also a way of putting our hopes and dreams into words and actions that we can work towards. Making resolutions makes it easier to keep track of our goals and measure our progress over time.
On top of that, resolutions give us something to look forward to each year. They can act as motivation and a source of excitement for what lies ahead.
And at the end of each year, we can look back and see how far we have come. That can be a gratifying feeling, no matter what our resolutions are or how far we have come in reaching them.
The Psychology Behind Why We Fail
When it comes to our New Year’s resolutions, why do so many of us fail to stick to them? There are various psychological reasons why we might struggle to keep up with the changes we want.
One reason is that people often set too many resolutions or resolutions that are overly ambitious. When goals are too challenging or too numerous, it can be difficult for our brains to track them. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, which can be difficult to overcome.
Another reason people fail to stick to their resolutions is that they don’t have a plan for how to achieve them. Without a clear roadmap for how to move forward, it’s easy to get distracted or discouraged when obstacles arise.
Finally, people may fail to keep their resolutions because they don’t have the necessary motivation to stay on track. Finding the energy and willpower needed to achieve your goals can be hard without motivation.
However, even if resolutions don’t always stick, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile to make. According to research, people who planned to set New Year’s resolutions were more confident about the future.
So, what can you do to increase your chances of keeping your next resolution?
The following tips may assist you in beating the odds:
1. Be honest with yourself
One of the biggest reasons New Year’s resolutions often fail is that we set unrealistic goals or attempt to change too many things at once.
So first, it’s important, to be honest about what you can do and how much time you have to devote to your resolution. Then, making a plan of action will help you create achievable goals that you can focus on.
Consider your end goal and ask yourself if it is something you are truly ready and willing to commit to. Break down the task into manageable steps, such as writing down a list of things you need to do each week or month to reach your goal.
Don’t set yourself up for failure by taking on too much too soon. Make small, achievable goals along the way, and don’t be afraid to adjust or reset your plan when necessary.
2. Concentrate on just one thing
One of the most common reasons New Year’s resolutions fail is that we often try to take on too much at once. We feel a rush of enthusiasm and make a long list of changes that we want to make all at once. Unfortunately, this often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and unable to keep up with all the new commitments we’ve made.
Instead, it’s better to focus on just one thing and make that your priority. For example, choose one area of your life you would like to change and focus your energy on. Then, whether it’s eating healthier, getting more exercise, spending less time on social media, or anything else, make it your number one priority and give it your full attention.
You don’t need to completely overhaul your life all at once. Instead, start with small changes, like cutting down on junk food or walking daily. Make sure these changes fit into your lifestyle so they’re sustainable, and you’ll be more likely to stick with them. Once you start seeing progress and success in this area, you can gradually start making more changes in other areas of your life.
3. Make SMART goals
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, it’s important to set yourself up for success with SMART goals. SMART stands for
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
This means that you should be specific in the goals you set out to achieve, measure your progress throughout the year, make sure the goals are attainable and relevant to you and set a timeline for when you want to achieve each goal.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to lose weight,” you could say, “I want to lose 20 pounds by June 1st by eating healthier foods and exercising for 30 minutes four days a week.” Setting realistic expectations for yourself is key to staying on track.
4. Arrange your environment for success
One of the best ways to ensure you’re successful in meeting your new year’s resolution is to create an environment that encourages and supports your goals.
This means eliminating or reducing temptations to backsliding and maximizing cues and reminders that support the behavior you’re trying to achieve.
For example, if you’ve decided to exercise regularly, set yourself up for success by making sure the exercise equipment you need is easily accessible and in plain sight so that you’re reminded to use it. You can also plan to attend classes at the gym or hire a trainer to help keep you accountable.
5. Chart your progress
It is important to track your progress and make sure you are staying on track. Keeping a journal or charting progress on a calendar can help remind you of where you want to go and how far you have come.
When you start to feel discouraged, referring to your chart can show that you are progressing.
6. Hold yourself accountable
One of the most important parts of sticking to a New Year’s resolution is holding yourself accountable. You must be honest with yourself and acknowledge your successes and failures.
Instead of beating yourself up for not meeting your goal, you should evaluate your progress and find areas for improvement. Then, you can track your progress, set deadlines, and reward yourself for achieving milestones.