Unveiling the Secret to Lasting New Year’s Resolutions
Every January, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions with the hope of improving their lives. But according to a study by the University of Scranton, only 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions.
Why is it so hard to stick to our New Year’s resolutions? There are a number of factors that can contribute to our failure, including:
- Unrealistic goals: We often set New Year’s resolutions that are too ambitious or unrealistic. When we fail to achieve these goals, we quickly become discouraged and give up.
- Lack of planning: We don’t always take the time to plan how we’re going to achieve our New Year’s resolutions. This lack of planning can lead to us feeling overwhelmed and giving up.
- Lack of support: We don’t always have the support of friends and family when we’re trying to achieve our New Year’s resolutions. This lack of support can make it difficult to stay motivated.
- Negative self-talk: We often engage in negative self-talk when we’re trying to achieve our New Year’s resolutions. This negative self-talk can sabotage our efforts and make it difficult to stay positive.
The Secret to Lasting New Year’s Resolutions
So what is the secret to lasting New Year’s resolutions? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some general principles that can help you increase your chances of success.
- Set realistic goals. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals. Instead, choose goals that are challenging but achievable.
- Create a plan. Once you’ve set your goals, take the time to create a plan for how you’re going to achieve them. This plan should include specific steps that you can take each day or week to reach your goals.
- Get support. Surround yourself with people who support you and your goals. These people can provide you with encouragement and motivation when you need it most.
- Stay positive. It’s important to stay positive when you’re trying to achieve your New Year’s resolutions. Don’t let setbacks discourage you. Instead, learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.
Conclusion
Achieving your New Year’s resolutions doesn’t have to be a difficult task. To help you stay on track with your resolutions, try these additional tips provided by the American Psychological Association:
- Increase your self-efficacy: Self-efficacy is the belief that you have the capabilities to achieve your goals. Try focusing on your strengths and past successes to increase your self-efficacy.
- Avoid black-or-white thinking: Don’t think of your resolutions as all-or-nothing situations. If you slip up, don’t give up. Just pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
- Reward yourself: When you reach a milestone or achieve a goal, reward yourself. This will help you stay motivated and on track.
New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to improve your life. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.
