Are you struggling to keep your New year’s resolution? Or have you realized that we are already in mid Jan, and you missed your start date? Either way, here are some tips to help you restart your new year (remember, we are only in January, you still have at least 11 months to succeed).
Approximately 50% of people worldwide make a new year’s resolution, but of those 50%, only about 1/8 people will keep their resolutions. However, don’t give up now, the more encouraging, and more important finding, is that people who make new year’s resolutions are much more likely to make a positive change in their lives.
So why do 1/8 fail when it comes to keeping New Year’s resolutions?
- Most often the reason is that we make a resolution, but we don’t have a plan, and we are unprepared for any change. It is true that “A goal without a plan is just a wish”. How can you do something, when you haven’t even figured out where to begin?
- Giving yourself permission to fail; many people start off with the assumption that it probably won’t work out.
- Being unclear about what you are pledging – Often we pledge to do something, or change something, but sometimes we pledge ideals rather than things we can actually act upon.
The formula to a successful 2016:
- Know what you want
Firstly you need to define what you are trying to achieve, be clear about what it is you want. Sometimes it can be helpful to try and imagine how your life would look like if you were able to achieve this change. It also helps to think about why you want this change, and if this is realistic.
- Specify what you want
Research shows that when we write down a specific goal, we are more likely to obtain this goal. If you have an ideal rather than a goal, transform it into something measurable. One of the key ingredients to achieving goals is motivation! Motivation is powered by success, the more positive reinforcement we have that it is working, the more motivated we become.
- Plan how you will get what you want
Once you know what your goal is, you need to think about the steps that are required in order to obtain it. The smaller you make these steps, the more manageable the whole resolution appears to be!
- Create a schedule
Next you need to consider when and how you are going to fit these steps into your daily/weekly life schedule. Writing these down in your agenda can help you to commit to completing these steps.
- Get started
Don’t procrastinate, start your 2016 now!
