The beginning of a new year is a mental reset for a lot of us. It is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past year and implement change. Unfortunately, 80-92% of New Year’s resolutions fail (depending on which of the countless studies you want to believe.)
We are critters of habit. Once we get into the new year and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is in the rear view, life goes back to the way it was – bad habits and all – and those resolutions and good intentions start to fizzle.
That sounds dismal, but I ‘m going to share with you a great way to increase the odds of success and how to make No-Fail New Year’s resolutions! Resolutions can most definitely be kept by following these simple guidelines: keep it SMALL, make it SPECIFIC, and you will be SUCCESSFUL.
“I’m going to eat healthy this year” is a big, generic resolution. No, no you’re not going to “eat healthy.” Instead, say “I’m going to eat HEALTHIER by bringing an apple or banana for my morning snack at work”. This will incorporate a serving of fruit every single day that otherwise would have been a candy bar, a pack of sandwich crackers, gummy bears, etc. (Put the fruit by your keys the night before so that you don’t forget during the morning chaos as you are trying to leave the house.) That is a small goal with a specific plan to be successful.
Another good no-fail alternative would be “I’m going to eat HEALTHIER this year by eating a salad for dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That is great example of a small goal with a specific plan to be successful.
Plans to save money are popular resolutions. Instead of saying “I’m going to save money this year”, say “I’m going to put $20 away from each paycheck and I won’t touch it until our vacation next summer” or “I won’t touch it until a major appliance needs replaced”. (It may help to add a note to your calendar on each payday to remind yourself to put that money away.) Small, specific, and successful!
If you would like to be more mindful in the coming year, saying that “I’m going to be more aware of the goings-on in my life” won’t cut it. Instead say something like “I’m going to be more present at home by cutting off my screen time at 7pm on the weekends and use that time to meditate, journal, or spend time with family” – whatever tickles your fancy. (Set a reminder in your phone if need be.) Small, specific, and successful.
Unpopular (maybe) opinion: even though they may be small, only set ONE No-Fail New Year’s Resolution at a time. I’d rather be successful at one smaller thing which will lead me to more successes than epically fail at five things. The small changes can gradually be built upon. After a few months of consistently eating those salads on Tuesdays and Thursdays you are going to feel pretty good about yourself. At that point it will be a habit and part of life and you might decide that’s a good time to add a salad in on one more day per week for lunch. Or maybe you will replace your morning potato chip snack with fresh fruit. By the end of the year you will look back at the small changes that you continued to make and will be even more motivated to continue that path.
By being small, specific, & successful you have set an attainable, realistic goal and a planned path to get there. This approach ensures that your resolution feels achievable and leads to long-term success. Success breeds motivation. By being small and specific, you will be successful.
What is your No-Fail New Year’s Resolution going to be? Please share in the comments.