An article appeared in FORBES saying that studies have shown that approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February.
Many of us are part of this resolution fail-a-thon that kicks off every New Year’s Eve. We all want to become better versions of ourselves so why is it so hard to follow through on our New Year’s resolutions?
Here are some tips for successfully making and keeping resolutions:
1. Take on something small. Take your goal and cut it in half, and then cut it in half again. Make sure it is something small enough that you feel, “I could definitely achieve this.” Oftentimes people aim for big dramatic changes in their lives – they jump to the high bar and then it’s too hard to sustain huge change over a short period of time so they give up and feel defeated relatively quickly. Trying and failing one too many times makes someone feel like “why bother”. Make sure your goals are small enough that you can achieve them.
2. Make yourself accountable to someone else. If there’s wiggle room, we may wiggle out of following through with our goals despite our best intentions when the going gets tough. Commit to checking in with a friend daily or weekly to report your progress. This will help hold your focus even when you feel like bailing. Make sure your support buddy is positive and compassionate as opposed to negative and critical.
3. “The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu. Consistent, small steps lead to real change over time. Appreciate every small step of progress you take to achieve your goals and enlist others to support and appreciate your journey as well.
You can do it!!!
