Why Your New Year's Resolutions Don't Actually Work

Google the term "New Year's Resolutions."

How many different ideas come up? Don't worry, I counted for you. Over 24 million. The most common ones are, as you could probably guess, losing weight, spending less, quitting smoking, falling in love, learning something new, and staying fit.

After some research, I found out that about 50% of Americans usually try to make at least one resolution when welcoming the new year. These numbers aren't very shocking. What's less shocking, though, is the minuscule amount of people who actually succeed in making that change they hoped for. Only 8% of those resolution-makers accomplished their goals.

How long did your last "resolution" last? 75% of resolutions that are made only last one week into the new year. One week! That's it!

Why do Americans have such a hard time sticking to their resolution and staying committed throughout the year?

The problem is that Americans make resolutions based on what they think they should be doing, not what they actually wantto do. Someone could want to do something as simple as "go to the movie theater once every week with my mom," but instead they may choose "lose 30 pounds by this summer." This happens too often, as we choose our resolutions based off of other people's expectations. Rather than listening to outside opinions or that magazine that is telling you to drop a few pounds, choose something that you really want as an individual for a better chance of reaching your goal.

Another reason resolutions don't work is because they are a form of "cultural procrastination." People wait all year until after the holiday season to try and create an unrealistic goal for themselves, but really they should've been working on it all year to see success. But, the truth is, abruptly trying to change your lifestyle all at once at the beginning of a new year just doesn't work. We make these resolutions to motivate ourselves, but really, we aren't ready to change our (bad) habits so quickly. Instead of setting a "losing weight" goal, maybe set a "go to the gym every Tuesday and Thursday" goal. This will be much easier to maintain and can be added to once you succeed in the basic resolution.

After numerous years of failed resolutions, we will start to distrust ourselves. This will cause us to stop making goals and end attempts to better ourselves. This year, love yourself, trust yourself, spend time with yourself, and do yourself some good! Set a realistic goal that won't be hard to follow, and once you reach it, make another one. Goals that will better ourselves should be set regularly throughout the year, not just when the ball drops.

With that being said, Happy New Year, enjoy your 2016, and go get em', tiger.