As we bring 2015 to a close (rowdy or casually, your pick), most of us are probably planning out how we intend to live our lives next year. No matter how good or bad 2015 was, it's time for a change, time to set goals and improve ourselves above and beyond. After all, New Years resolutions work, right?
Not quite. A study done in 2007 shows that only a third of resolutions make it past January, which means that the vast majority of people come into the new year with vigor and motivation, but stop before the first month. Throughout the years, earnest people have tried to make their resolutions not only workable, but accessible. Gym memberships increase threefold, schedules and apps are used to make people accountable, and some have even added ultimatums to their goals ("If I work out three times a week, then I can have a cheat day on Sunday"). Despite their approaches, only a few stuck to their goals, even less throughout the year. So what's the problem?
It's simple: New Years resolutions do not work. Or, rather, the idea behind it doesn't work.
But Chan, you're just a cynic. Surely they must be effective if so many people do it. On the contrary, I find making goals for the new year to be an outdated tradition. The change that takes place between December 31st and January 1st is simply a 24 hour span, the same 24 hour span that encompasses every day of the year (Daylight Savings Time notwithstanding). The very idea that we must make a change each year adds unnecessary pressure onto people to achieve their goals, leading to quick burnout, hence the January drop-off point mentioned above. Sometimes, it even gets to the point of just rehashing the same resolutions.
So, are you saying it's useless to make goals and resolutions? Not quite. Earlier this year, I put up an article about why goal setting in general doesn't work, opting instead for a journey approach. Let's make it better, let's make it a mindset approach. Instead of wanting to lose weight through the year, why not say, "I want to try my best at everything I do." Instead of saying, "I want to get more money this year", say "I want to be more optimistic." These seem like generalities, but I find it's much more effective to change how you approach life than to set goal after goal for something that can change in an instant.
I'll use myself as an example. 2014 ended pretty roughly for me, on a professional and personal level. New Years Eve ended terribly, and I felt the aftereffects on New Years Day. Rather than setting resolutions, I told myself, "I will not fall down to these depths this year. I will be more motivated and positive." Flash forward to this year, and I find myself much more content and happy with the way things turned out this year, along with the new relationships I have made.
If you need further proof that I embrace this ideal, simply look at my tattoo in the linked article: Progression.
If you want to make New Years resolutions this year, by all means do so. However, I will stick with my method of positivity and progression. Life's too short for me to say, "Maybe next year..."
Think I'm off-base? Have any specific plans for the New Year? Comment below or on Facebook, and have a Happy New Year!
