How To Stick To Your New Year’s Resolution
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November 22, 2016
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December 6, 2016
“I’m going to start ________ (insert the thing or things that won’t get done here) right after the new year!”
The lies…The lies I tell you!
If I had a dollar for every New Year’s resolution that was ever abandoned, or perhaps thought about but never started, I’d be a very, VERY rich man. And with the new year fast approaching, I find myself asking:
“Why (and for how long) have New Year’s resolutions been so synonymous with failure?”
Well, the answer to that question has provided some surprising results. Humans, it seems, have successfully been failing at keeping New Year’s resolutions for over 4,000 years. This tradition of failure dates all the way back to the 12-day Akitu Festival. During this festival, the people of ancient Babylonia made promises to the gods for the upcoming year. Promises, which you can guess, that were seldom kept. Fast forward to last year, 2015, where more than 90% of Americans failed to keep their resolutions throughout the year.
But enough talk about that four-letter F-word we all hate. Instead, now is the time to focus on a pleasure-inducing S-word.
No, no…not THAT S-word…
SUCCESS—and how to successfully accomplish your New Year’s resolution!
Be Honest With Yourself
For many, this is the hardest part. The inability to set realistic goals ultimately leads to failure. Several common resolutions are:
- Get a 6-pack
- Become fluent in a new language
- Start a business
And so on…
While these things may sound fine and dandy, and look great on paper…if substantial progress toward accomplishing your goal hasn’t been met within the first few weeks—then that goal will most likely be abandoned early on.
So how can you avoid the disappointment of deserting your resolution??
“Baby Step” Into Your New Year’s Resolution
I’m a firm believer of the “Think Big” mentality. However, if your goal is to climb Mt. Everest and you’ve never even strapped on a pair of mountain boots…I think you’re going to run into some problems along the way! With that said, start small and work up to those larger goals. Perhaps even begin with smaller month to month goals, which will motivate you to continue working toward the accomplishment you seek to attain.
My wallpaper of monthly goals
Start Your New Year’s Resolution Now
Resolution: A firm decision to do or not to do something.
It’s been said that it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Why wait until January 1st or 2nd to begin working on the new you. Get a head start on things by beginning your New Year’s resolution a full month before the new year actually begins.
Best case scenario: You’re well on your way to achieving your goal by the time the new year rolls around.
Worst case scenario: You’ve stumbled a bit along the way, but your mistakes have provided insight. Use what you’ve learned to alter your initial resolution into something more palpable.
New Year’s Resolution Success!
What is something you would like to accomplish in the upcoming year??
37 Comments
Really great tips! I don’t think I’ve ever stuck to a New Years resolution and like you say it’s because I set myself unrealistic goals and berate myself when I fail to achieve them! Small steps are definitely the way to go!
I like the positivity. Such a great start, keep going and never surrender?
I totally agree. It’s not easy to work on your resolution , but one must take small steps to fulfill it. One should always try to focus on making resolutions which can actually be fulfilled.
Great post! Most of the times we sabotage ourselves with too many or /and too difficult goals to attain, making success impossible.
Great tips! I have big goals but I always make smaller gaols in order to help me achieve them. I think it is so important to be focused but also realistic.
Very true, staying real allows us to stay on track.
yes, why wait until the beginning of the year?! just start now if you really want to get it done!
I’m not sure I’ve made a new year’s resolution ever in my life. Just not my style I guess. When an urge to make a change arises the only way to go…is to just do it at the moment of inception rather for some special commemorative occasion. Just my insight. But it is nice to at least reflect on the year past, and to consider the many trials and triumphs that bring us to that day.
Way to share and be unstoppable. Cheers!
oh dear.. i am total in this scheme 😀 since some years I am not doing new years resolutions anymore, .. I just do something at the very moment when I feel motivated.. in the end it´s the same; after a certain amount of time, i quit 😀
I am one of those people who likes to start things with full strength and energy, and then because I started too hard I will not follow through. I have had to really work on that, and usually the things that you really really want, you will be able to achieve.
I think we’ve all fallen victim to starting too strong and then burning out at some point, which is I make it a point to often repeat the mantra of “Start strong, finish stronger”
I haven’t made any new year’s resolutions yet but this does inspire me to think about it and I agree with the baby steps: keeping it realistic helps achieve what you are looking for.
Absolutely. Not only does simplicity help make the goals more attainable…it also builds the confidence to go above and beyond the initial expectations in some instances.
I don’t make resolutions anymore since I know that I won’t keep them. But I do make goals, not necessarily on New Year’s and I tend to stick to them. 2016 has been very satisfying in terms of fulfilling my goals.
I did something similar this year. Monthly, bite-sized goals…and my year has been very satisfying as well so it looks like we’re on to something. Best of luck in 2017 as well!
Taking baby steps is always a great way to start any resolution or goal for that matter. I have been successful in completing my New Year resolution now for almost a decade. It has remained the same actually and it is “This year I shall not make any resolutions and live life as it comes”. Simple and effective.
Well, with a resolution like that you never have to worry about failing 🙂
Haha this is such a relatable post! I always set the most ridiculous new years resolutions like giving up chocolate (never going to happen!) Great read thanks for sharing!
Haha. Giving up chocolate is quite an ambitious goal…even if it was only for one month, let alone a whole year!
Great tips. I was just thinking about my new year’s resolution a few days ago. I have decided to read a book a week next year, so 52 books in total. I have been reading about 20-30 books a year for the past five years it’s not a new habit, but it will require picking up the pace a little.
That’s a great goal. Consistent with what you have been doing but raising the bar just a bit….good luck!
Good tips! My biggest problem is a lack of patience, I can invest all my time and energy in something, but if I don’t see some results after a short period of time, I just lose interest. What has helped me become more patient is incorporating a new project/habit in my daily routine in such a way that it doesn’t feel like a chore.
It’s like the old saying,”Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Patience is one of those things that gets the best of us…I try to focus on the BIG picture/ultimate goal as much as possible to avoid prematurely giving up.
Yes maybe there is something to say about the new year’s resolution: Living day by day, step by step and doing everything you like with passion and love! We every year set a goal and even if we fail it we have to think: Don’t worry, be happy because life is 90% how we react to it!!
A positive reaction will trump any negative situation!
Brilliantly said, couldn’t say it better myself 😉 Baby steps is definitely the only way to stick to something, and the only way to build a lasting new habit. I did just that last new years, when I vowed to stick to a fitness regime full time. I decided to do a 30 day yoga challenge, it was gentle, only 20mins a day… I actually managed to stick with it day in and day out for 30 days. Almost a year on and I still do it at least 6 days a week, even on the road. Those 30 days allowed me to get used to setting aside a certain amount of time to do something I love. So the advice you have given here is spot on, it worked for me and I’ve failed at sooooo many promises to myself lol! Thank you so much for sharing, look forward to the next post 🙂
Best,
Candace @360honeymoon (www.360honeymoon.com)
That’s awesome that you were able to extend your challenge throughout the entire year. Now that you have that momentum…what’s the challenge for 2017 going to be?
Very good advices, I always start writing them after New Year, but I will try writing them down now. 😀 Thank you!
Great to hear Ana…getting a head start is always good 🙂
I set out to write my first book this year. I even started a LIKE page to firm up the goal with accountability and then one thing after another kept bumping it lower on the priority list. By the way I’ve been in Afghanistan now for over 4 months. Not something I was anticipating…
Here I am on the last day of November with about 10 pages that haven’t been touched since last Spring.
All things considering, I started out right.
SET A GOAL AND THEN TELL SOMEONE ABOUT IT.
REAFIRM YOUR PRIORITY DAILY.
Well you took the right steps so don’t be discouraged…life happens to us all. If it’s still something you want to do then I hope you revisit it!
i agree that many people fail their resolution every new year, I am one of those who wants to have abs, but as you said baby steps work. I do manage go to the gym, whenever i am free, i am eating more healthy food now, Even though not a 6 pack abs, i am more stronger and healthier than last year
Well, then you’re taking steps in the right direction 🙂
Well, ultimately health is the most important thing…I’m sure there are plenty of people out there with 6-pack abs that aren’t very healthy because they put their body through so much stress to get to that point.
I hope that you made a wonderful bucket list and wishes.*<:D I will share my list when I complete it, but I should hurry. The most important thing is Now!
I agree…you have to seize the moment and appreciate the present day!