With a new year comes renewed promises to ourselves, especially about healthy habits. For example, you might say, “This is the year I will lose weight or focus on exercise.” However, these New Year’s resolutions can quickly fall by the wayside.
If this sounds like you, know you are not alone. Statistically speaking, 23% of people quit after one week. Only 57% stick to resolutions for one month, and just 9% go all the way. As depressing as that sounds, New Year’s Resolutions come from a good place. They are a desire to do or feel better. It’s the approach that tends to trip people up.
Where Did the Idea of New Year’s Resolutions Come From?
According to History.com, the ancient Babylonians made the first New Year’s resolutions more than 4,000 years ago. Today, the practice continues, especially with younger people. A Pew Research Survey found that 49% of people making resolutions are between 18 and 29. The numbers drop as ages increase.
The most common resolutions involve healthy habits. A new year means a fresh start, which is a motivating concept, especially when it comes to feeling and looking better. It is also a trendy thing to do. How many times does someone ask you about New Year’s resolutions each year?
Why Are New Year’s Resolutions Such a Challenge?
The answer to that question is almost as old as the practice itself. There are different reasons why people don’t keep their resolutions beyond “Quitters Day,” which is the second Friday in January.
The simple answer for many is their goals are not realistic. If you resolve to go to the gym every single day, chances are you will fail. Few people can keep up an exercise schedule like that, and the goal doesn’t allow for rest or days when you just can’t make it.
Another common issue is resolutions that are too vague. Goals need to be measurable for them to be achievable. If you promise to lose weight in the next year, you may be less motivated without an actual goal to achieve, like 20 pounds.
Or, you may choose an actionable, measurable resolution but fail to create a strategy to support it. How are you planning to lose that weight?
Are New Year’s Resolutions Worth the Effort?
When approached with the right mindset, New Year’s health resolutions can be a powerful tool for personal growth. They provide a yearly opportunity to identify areas for improvement and set goals to work towards.
There is a downside to the practice, as well. Failing year after year to achieve a goal can be depressing. Still, never making goals will do more damage to your self-confidence than not seeing a resolution to fruition. The right New Year’s resolution might change your life.
New Year’s resolutions are also a practical way to determine what you can and can’t do. I was one of those people who resolved to go to the gym daily, but I learned the hard way that it was an unattainable goal.
Even if I didn’t keep that promise, I could assess my abilities. When I realized that every day wasn’t going to happen, I reevaluated my schedule and determined that three days a week made more sense. Use these experiences as learning opportunities. Remember, progress is progress, no matter how small.
How Can You Find Success With Your New Year’s Resolutions?
Take a more thoughtful approach to making New Year’s resolutions this year. Here are some tips:
- Don’t overwhelm yourself with goals. Choose one or two that you want to focus on.
- Select realistic goals.
- Create a strategy to meet your goal.
- Don’t be afraid to make adjustments if necessary. If you set the goal too high, lower it to a level you can manage.
Finally, be kind to yourself. If you fail occasionally, get back on that horse and keep at it.
Sticking to resolutions can be challenging, but it is possible if you approach it with the right attitude and plan. Don’t expect perfection; just focus on your goals and move forward, not backward.
