Every Dec. 31, when the clock strikes midnight, billions of people around the world celebrate the arrival of a new year.
New year, new you, right? “Tabula rasa:” a clean slate– for everyone.
Well if you are like 37% of America, then you probably made a New Year’s resolution this time around. Whether it was to eat better, stay more on top of your homework, or even watch less television, big or small, you probably mapped out some sort of goal to accomplish in the upcoming year.
At the beginning of a new year, we’re all motivated by the idea that a fresh start is given to us so we can jump into the next 12 months with vigor and excitement.
Nevertheless, by the time February and March comes around, motivation begins to run dry and these healthy habits start to wither out. So why is that?
Statistically, 44% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions for about two to three months total before quitting altogether, and only 1% of people carry out their goals until December.
Most goals are only set at the beginning of the year because it is tradition. However, for a goal to be successful, it must be created during a time or need for change. If not, there will be a complete lack of motivation and drive to carry out the resolution.
Additionally, in order to succeed in reaching a goal, they need to start out small and specific.
Many people make the common mistake of just simply saying they are going to “eat healthier” or “workout more.” These statements are extremely vague and leave a lot of gray area.
Whereas more distinct goals such as “walk 10,000 steps daily” or “read a new book each month” will create milestones that allow a sense of accomplishment, which will in turn lead to more motivation.
In essence, while New Year’s resolutions can be an exciting opportunity for a fresh start, their success hinges on more than just a date on the calendar. To really reach goals, they must come from a genuine desire for change. These resolutions must be set with specificity and embrace a realistic, manageable approach. By doing this, there will be an influx of motivation, turning these goals from resolutions, to healthy, life changing habits.
