Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work Out

The hype of New Year’s resolutions is dying down in my opinion. Every year you pen down a list of things you want to get done, achieve or even improve on. For the first couple of months you keep flipping back to check on them but eventually give up or just merely forget that you even wrote them down.

Another New Year is just around the corner, so I did some research as to why New Year’s resolutions don’t work out and found some useful tips to help with the process.

1. Set specified goals – One of the popular reasons as to why the New Year’s Resolutions don’t work out is that the goals we set are so broad and even at times unachievable. Specify your goals; rather than saying “I want to lose weight”; write down “I want to lose 10 lbs. “. So that it is measurable and specific.

2. Set realistic goals – A person who has been smoking for 30 odd years can’t just quit smoking once and for all. But he can reduce the number of cigarettes he smokes per day. And when he keeps on cutting down, ultimately he’ll get there. Be realistic so that your goals become more achievable and clearer to you.

3. Long term goals are hard to keep track of so we fail more often than not! Set short term goals rather than long term goals. In order to achieve your long term goals you have to achieve the short term goals first. After all, Roam was not built in a day! So if you are an Executive, aim one step higher rather than wanting to be the CEO within a year. Small steps lead to the ultimate success.

4. Setting up a New Year’s resolution at the last minute is a huge mistake. A New Year’s resolution should not be a spur of the moment attempt of putting a list of what you want to get done. You have to have time to focus and think about your priorities and then set your goals.

5. Every time you reach a milestone to your goal, no matter how small it is, celebrate! Give yourself a pat on the back and it will encourage you and motivate you to take the next step. Don’t wait till you complete the goal because the longer the wait the more frustrated you become.

6. Don’t do it alone; find a resolution partner/buddy – may it be your spouse, your significant other, your best friend or your mom. Whoever is interested in your success will do just right. This will make you accountable to someone and when that person keeps pushing you towards your goals it makes you motivated to reach towards it. When you are not answerable to anyone you just stop caring about it.

7. Don’t be too hard on yourself…………… have fun!

Next time you do your New Year’s Resolutions take these into consideration. If you can achieve even half of your goals the first year………… well, that’s something to rejoice in. Good Luck!!