Avoid Ditching Your New Year Resolutions

Avoid Ditching Your New Year Resolution

Last Wednesday was National Ditch Your Resolutions Day. A day when many Americans grabbed ice cream, skipped the workout, and began to spend more time scrolling through social media. Whether formally recognized last Wednesday or another date, the unofficial holiday is celebrated by many. According to US clinical psychologist Joseph Luciani, one in three people fail their New Year’s resolutions in the first month and an estimated 80% fail to stick with their resolutions for the entire year.

Why do people fail at keeping New Year Resolutions? Here are five main reasons:

1. Not Enough Commitment

2. Not Prioritizing the Resolution

3. Experiencing a Setback

4. Slower Progress than Expected

5. Not Enough Support

If you have fallen off your resolution or are nearing the edge, now is the time to reassess the goal, remember why you started and refocus your efforts. Here are five common mistakes that people make when setting resolutions and ideas to bring you back so that you can make the most of 2024.

Why Do People Abandon Their Resolutions?

Understanding the common reasons for failure is the first step toward success. Here are a few reasons why resolutions fail:

1. Setting Unrealistic Goals: Goals that are too ambitious or vague can feel overwhelming.

2. Lack of Planning: Resolutions often fail because there's no clear plan or strategy to achieve them.

3. Motivation Fades: The excitement of a new year can quickly wear off, leading to a loss of focus.

4. External Pressures: Life's unexpected challenges can push resolutions to the back burner.
   
   By addressing these challenges, you can create resolutions that stick.

How to Set Achievable Resolutions

1. Make Them Specific: Instead of saying, "I want to lose weight," aim for a goal like, "I will lose 10 pounds in three months by exercising three times a week and eating balanced meals."

2. Set Measurable Milestones: Break your goal into smaller, achievable steps and celebrate each win.

3. Focus on What Matters: Choose resolutions that align with your values and long-term aspirations.

4. Keep Them Realistic: Aim for progress, not perfection.

Mistake #1: Setting resolutions that are too large and vague

Instead try starting small with specific habits, rather than attempting to accomplish everything all at once.

Additional Resources to Stay Motivated

• Podcasts: Listen to motivational talks on goal-setting and self-discipline.

• Books: Read books like Atomic Habits by James Clear to learn how small changes can lead to big results.

• Apps: Try apps like Habitica, Strides, or MyFitnessPal to track your resolutions.

Mistake #2: Doing too much, too fast

Instead try creating hard and easy days for yourself so you can build confidence and avoid burnout.

Mistake #3: Planning for the best circumstances, not the worst

Instead try relying on consistency NOT motivation. Come up with a game plan for when things get tough.

Mistake #4: Underestimating how hard you can work

Instead try knowing that the work will be hard and prepare for it. Surround yourself with people who will support you and hold you accountable.

Mistake #5: Having too much variety

Instead try staying consist so you can get better and begin seeing progress sooner.

Regardless of how the first 21 days of 2024 have gone, there are still more than 340 days left to work, grow and accomplish. Keep going!