One commonly cited statistic is that by the end of January, a considerable percentage of people have already abandoned their New Year's resolutions. Some studies suggest that around 80% of resolutions fail by mid-February. Why is that?
Several factors contribute to the difficulty in sticking to resolutions, including unrealistic goal setting, lack of specific plans, and poor motivation. We succeed when we are focused. Yet, how can we focus when life gets crazy and when other things replace the resolutions we are supposed to succeed?
Get to know your thoughts. Thinking precedes behavior, so if you want to change your behavior, we need to first focus on our thinking. Why do want to achieve our resolution? What do we want to achieve more important than the resolution set? Understanding our motivations can help us determine if the goals are truly aligned with our values and aspirations.
Reevaluate your goals. Maybe our goals are not realistic. They are either too big or are not relevant to other things that are happening in our life.
Who’s on your Support Team? – Beatles said it simply with “we get by with a little help from our friends.” We need to surround ourselves with a strong support system that lifts us up when we need it.
Celebrate the small wins. Recognize your baby steps and use them as milestones to get you to the end. Do something nice for yourself and bask in feeling good. If you only celebrate the final accomplishment, it may be difficult to get there.
Remember, it's okay to reassess and change your goals if they no longer serve you. Understanding your own motivations and addressing any underlying issues can help you move forward in a way that feels authentic and fulfilling. Every day can be a New Year’s Eve and a chance to evaluate what’s important to you and what you want to accomplish.
I am open for a conversation, are you? Contact me at basharon@trainingedge.com