Is it wrong to make New Year’s resolutions? No, but have you ever kept your end of the bargain to the end? Probably not. So, why exactly does that happen?
Come to think of it, entering into a new year feels different. And while a lot of people might probably disagree, it does give a different aura, more like tension and the urge to be better.
We all want to do better for the next year, and for millions of people, one way to do that is by making a list of all they plan to achieve in the coming year. But does it work? Does it?
I mean, it motivates us for the first three weeks, maybe 2 months tops but after that, what happens next?
Why Do New Year’s Resolutions Fail?
Just imagine, that you plan to do something for a change, but the willingness to put in the work is not there. What is the result like? Although some people blame a lack of time and resources as the major hindrance, what do you think the reason is?
Personally, I believe that a lot of New Year’s resolutions fail due to a lack of consistency and dedication. (I am not a psychologist but it is just common sense that when you consistently put effort and dedicate time to doing something, it turns out pretty great)
Speaking of effort, according to a recent YouGov survey, 35% of people who made resolutions managed to stick to all of their goals, and 50% of people managed to keep some of their resolutions.
This technically means that some people are acing it when it comes to achieving their list. Therefore, it is pretty obvious that it works and is not one of those unachievable success myths.
What Hinders the Successful Fulfillment of New Year’s Resolutions?
Again, speaking from a personal perspective, we are the biggest obstacle when it comes to fulfilling a New Year’s resolution. We can lead ourselves to failure by just making plans for the wrong goals or going through the wrong way in fulfilling these goals.
Any journey worth taking will undoubtedly have some setbacks along the way, but by understanding the psychology of personal change, you may significantly improve your chances of success.
Now that we are motivated and energized to overcome the many obstacles standing in the way of achieving our new year’s resolutions, let’s examine some of the main causes of why it fails.
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Setting Unrealistic Resolutions
I understand that there are a lot of us who make plans for the New Year, but let’s be honest, some of these goals are practically unrealistic. Imagine resolving to move to your own apartment when you don’t even have a steady source of income; unless your plan also comes with black fatigues and masks, it is bound to fail.
And don’t go pulling the “miracles can happen” card here. That is part of the mindset that assists you to fail in your resolution.
So it is very critical to review your resolutions to see if they are achievable, and also in the time frame allocated.
No Tracking of Progress
I once made a resolution list that I kept in my cupboard and forgot all about it. Guess what? I achieved nothing that year. A lot of people can relate to this, and it has hindered the success of achieving their resolutions.
Keeping track of your progress and converting your excuses into opportunities is one method to handle this.
This introduces you to how successful a solid tracking system can be in attaining objectives and projects. It also inspires you to look on the bright side and gives you time management skills, and ultimately leads to consistency, which is one of the two main pillars for fulfilling your resolution-related objectives.
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Self-doubt and Uncertainty
We are all aware of how disappointing failures may be; they can undermine your confidence and have an impact on future success. The same holds true for New Year’s resolutions.
There is a level of uncertainty when it comes to some of the goals you wish to accomplish because they may have been one of your numerous failures in the past. This is particularly detrimental because it directed all of your attention and effort to question your abilities.
So to overcome this, you need to be willing and open-minded to accept failures and celebrate small wins.
Finally,
In order to keep one’s New Year’s resolutions, it is crucial to be thoughtful, accept responsibility, remain committed, and concentrate all attention on the alignment of energy, thinking, and action.
Make a mental vision of your future self, and let it serves as a constant reminder. Enjoy the process of growth and development and, most importantly, don’t be too hard or too soft on yourself.
Keep in mind that both winners and losers have the same objectives; it is what one does that sets them apart.
