A quick google search on New Year resolution fail rates shows that 80% of resolutions fail about a month after the start of the new year.
I typically don't have a resolution, but I found myself wanting to make one this year. I decided that I wanted to really allow myself the space to feel my feelings with no judgement (such a therapist-y resolution, huh? LOL). Since I normally don't make New Years resolutions, I had never spent too much time thinking about them, or why they fail, but now that I found myself considering one, I'm all in.
While I did google the fail rate percentages, I did not google why most fail. Instead I picked my own brain, and with a background in behavior modification I am throwing my hypothesis into the ring: a goal for a WHOLE year is far too long. I would imagine one gets to the end of the year and reflects back and thinks "oh wow, I planned to [fill in the blank], whatever happened to that" because it is too long term with no plan for checking in with yourself at certain points of time throughout the year on little mini goals.
My 2019 goal is very abstract, but let's imagine a person has a goal of losing weight in 2019. The way to make this successful is to identify a specific amount of weight that one wants to lose, then break that down into smaller chunks. If you want to lose 20lbs in 2019, how about set 4 (or more!) mini goals to celebrate on the way? 5lbs by March, 10lbs by June, 15lbs by September, and 20lbs by the new year! By doing this, you get a chance to celebrate yourself and reflect on why you set this new year resolution in the first place.
Sometimes, we unknowingly put barriers up for ourselves on our road to success. We are all carrying around little and big traumas everyday that we don't always think about. If you have set a new year resolution and you're finding self doubt, depression, anxiety, or something else is keeping you from being your best self, consider getting support from a friend or if necessary, a professional.
Cheers to you being your best self and accomplishing all of the good things in life you want! Happy 2019!
Comment with your 2019 goals below!
I typically don't have a resolution, but I found myself wanting to make one this year. I decided that I wanted to really allow myself the space to feel my feelings with no judgement (such a therapist-y resolution, huh? LOL). Since I normally don't make New Years resolutions, I had never spent too much time thinking about them, or why they fail, but now that I found myself considering one, I'm all in.
While I did google the fail rate percentages, I did not google why most fail. Instead I picked my own brain, and with a background in behavior modification I am throwing my hypothesis into the ring: a goal for a WHOLE year is far too long. I would imagine one gets to the end of the year and reflects back and thinks "oh wow, I planned to [fill in the blank], whatever happened to that" because it is too long term with no plan for checking in with yourself at certain points of time throughout the year on little mini goals.
My 2019 goal is very abstract, but let's imagine a person has a goal of losing weight in 2019. The way to make this successful is to identify a specific amount of weight that one wants to lose, then break that down into smaller chunks. If you want to lose 20lbs in 2019, how about set 4 (or more!) mini goals to celebrate on the way? 5lbs by March, 10lbs by June, 15lbs by September, and 20lbs by the new year! By doing this, you get a chance to celebrate yourself and reflect on why you set this new year resolution in the first place.
Sometimes, we unknowingly put barriers up for ourselves on our road to success. We are all carrying around little and big traumas everyday that we don't always think about. If you have set a new year resolution and you're finding self doubt, depression, anxiety, or something else is keeping you from being your best self, consider getting support from a friend or if necessary, a professional.
Cheers to you being your best self and accomplishing all of the good things in life you want! Happy 2019!
Comment with your 2019 goals below!
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