Welcome to 2024! My hope is this will be a great year for all of us! January, for many people, is a time to reflect on where they are in their life, where they stand with their goals, and make a resolution to guide them through the new year. Surprisingly, the research on setting a New Year's resolution is not great news. Did you know…
Just 9% of adults keep their resolutions all year long.
80% of New Year's resolutions are forgotten by the second week in January, while 23% quit during the first week of the year.
62% say they feel pressured to set a New Year’s resolution with women (64%) feeling slightly more pressured to set a resolution than men (60%).
So, Yikes! But why do we give up on our resolutions? There are many reasons but some include the following.
Unrealistic Expectations: Setting overly ambitious or unrealistic goals can set individuals up for failure. When the initial enthusiasm wears off, the enormity of the goal becomes overwhelming, leading to discouragement.
Lack of Specificity: Vague or poorly defined resolutions make it challenging to track progress and stay motivated. Without a clear plan, individuals may lose sight of their objectives. (So, yeah, I want to do that thing and feel better.)
Failure to Plan: Resolutions without a concrete plan are akin to wishes. Without a roadmap outlining the necessary steps, people may feel lost and unsure of how to progress toward their goals.
Lack of Accountability: Having no one to be accountable to can make it easier to abandon resolutions. Sharing goals with a friend, family member, or mentor can provide external motivation and support.
Impatience: Instant gratification is a common desire in our fast-paced world. When results don't materialize quickly enough, some people may become discouraged and abandon their resolutions. (What do you mean I cannot lose 20 pounds in one week???)
Fear of Failure: The fear of failing to meet expectations can be paralyzing. If you perceive you have fallen short of your goals, it may be easier to give up rather than readjust your approach.
External Pressures: External factors such as work stress, family obligations, or unforeseen events can divert attention and energy away from resolutions, making it challenging to stay committed.
Lack of Intrinsic Motivation: Resolutions driven solely by external pressure or societal expectations are less likely to succeed. Sustainable change often requires a deep, intrinsic motivation and personal connection to the goal. Remember to go back to your core values and beliefs to know if your goal is in alignment.
Not Celebrating Small Wins: Focusing solely on the end goal without acknowledging and celebrating small victories along the way can diminish motivation. Recognizing progress, no matter how small, reinforces positive behavior.
So, hey. We are all human. Don’t beat yourself up if you have already cast aside or blatantly ignored your 2024 resolution. Remember you can always go back and pick up the resolution you made adjust it, or even abandon it for one that feels better. While January may seem like the best time for making a resolution, the truth is that winter is the time for reflection, and as we move into spring, that may be a better time to set and keep a resolution.
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