According to statistics, 62% of Americans make New Year's Resolutions. And yet, very few are successful--in fact, less than half (49%) have somewhat or infrequent success, and 8% of people who make resolutions are actually successful in achieving their resolutions, leaving 24% who never succeed.
Why do our endeavors fall short every year? We start out in January with good intentions of spending less money and exercising more, but by spring the majority of people have given up entirely on resolutions made only a few months earlier. There are various reasons that resolutions fail, but there are ways to work around set-backs and ensure success.
1. Set specific goals.
It is much easier to stay motivated when you have a specific goal in mind. For example,
• "I want to lose weight" versus "I want to lose 5 pounds"
• "I want to exercise more" versus "I want to be able to run a mile"
• "I want to save more money" versus "I want to set aside 10% in savings"
• "I want to get more sleep" versus "I want to get 8 hours of sleep"
• "I want to be on time more often" versus "I want to get to work 5 minutes early"
When you have specific goals in mind you know what you are working towards, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You can also build on your goals--if you are able to run 1 mile by March, you can make your new goal 2 miles. Just because you set a goal, it doesn't mean it has to stay the same.
2. Write them down.
Remember all those times you promised yourself you would remember your school assignments and that you didn't have to write them down? Remember all those times you forgot about said assignments because you didn't write them down? Exactly. By writing down your goals, you are more likely to remember them--they are more likely to remain at the forefront of your mind rather than being pushed to the side. There's also something about writing down your goals that makes them more concrete. Statistics show that people who make concrete goals are 10 times more likely to achieve them.
3. Make a game plan.
So you've come up with specific goals. You've written them down. Now what? One of the simplest reasons people give up on their resolutions is because they do not come up with specific ways to achieve those goals. If you plan to get 8 hours of sleep, calculate what time you will need to be in bed. If you plan to eat healthier, come up with your meals for the entire week when you go grocery shopping so that you have only what you need on hand. If you want to get to work 5 minutes earlier, plan to wake up earlier or cut down on your morning routine.
4. Create accountability.
Find a partner. Whether it's a spouse, a sibling, a parent, a friend...anyone. If you and your friend both have a resolution that involves exercise, make a plan to go running or join a gym together. The days that you don't feel like going out, he/she will be there to keep you going, and vice versa. If you decide to eat healthier, ask your spouse to keep you accountable or even eat healthier with you. Whether or not your accountability partner has the same resolutions, he/she can be there to hold you accountable when you want to give up on your goals.
If you are one of the 62% of who make New Year's Resolutions, this year in order to be successful, make sure that you write down specific goals and specific ways to achieve those goals. Find an accountability partner--someone who will keep you on track. No matter what your resolutions are this year, you have the power to attain them. Good luck and Happy New Year!
