Want a Thriving New Life?

Focus On NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!

Want+a+Thriving+New+Life%3F

About a month has already passed since 2020 began, and you know what that means? People have already started to give up on their New Year’s Resolutions.

One report suggests that only 8% of people actually keep their resolutions. To some, that can be the ultimate “I’m not mad just disappointed” moment. But for those who truly want to change something in their lives, the key seems to be integrating it into their life right away rather than waiting until next week, or next year, or next LIFETIME for that fresh start.

As someone who doesn’t write them and probably isn’t qualified to critique the art of New Year’s resolutions, I asked some people who actually try why only 8% actually stick to them.

Kaitlyn Dermody, a senior who has tried to write a resolution every year, reported, “Yes, I wanted to stop biting my nails and so far I haven’t bitten them once. I think these resolutions can make your life an adventure if you actually follow.” Making a good point, your new year’s resolutions should spice your life a bit. She believes people lose sight of why they started that resolution in the first place and give up on themselves. She definitely thinks you just have to stick to it 100% and hold yourself accountable. It also helps a lot if you do a resolution with another person because you’re even more likely to stick to it. 

Another opinion that was thrown into the ring was from Victoria Zubchenko: “There’s a lot of reasons people’s goals fall short, and I think that depends on the nature of the resolution and the person. For me personally, I fall victim to losing motivation and laziness, so that’s something I need to work on.” Victoria is another victim of what I like to call “Resolution Laziness,” but for resolutions it may be more of an issue of realism.

The main contributor to those 92% failing goals is that they’re too unrealistic and too vague: losing weight, eating healthier, you know- that rabbit-hole, like those pesky pop-up ads that appear “Lose 20 pounds by drinking this tea from a weird plant you’ve never heard of!” or “Lose 10 pounds in 30 minutes or your pizzas free.” The truth of those ads is this: “Lose. Your. Money.” Resolutions should want you to earn it through hard work, there should never be an easy way out. So here are some tips you can do to avoid these incidents:

1. BE REALISTIC
The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to NEVER eat your favorite food again is setting you up to fail. Instead, strive for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding it more often than you do now.

2. PLAN AHEAD
Don’t make your resolution on New Year’s Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31st arrives.

3. TREAT YOURSELF
This doesn’t mean that you can eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to eat a better diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something you enjoy that doesn’t contradict your resolution. If you have been sticking to your promise to eat better, for example, reward yourself with new fitness clothing or by going to a movie with a friend. Also, don’t be flaky and say something like “oh, I missed a week, oh I’m hopeless” and proceeding to stop your resolution.

4. KEEP TRYING
If you have totally run out of steam when it comes to keeping your resolution by mid-February, don’t despair. Start over again! Recommit yourself for 24 hours. You can do anything for 24 hours. The 24-hour increments will soon build on each other and, before you know it, you will be back on track.

5. RACK YOUR PROGRESS
Keep track of each small success. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, focus on losing the first five. Keep a food journal to help you stay on track, and reward yourself for each five pounds lost.

We are all human and make mistakes, don’t beat yourself up over it and just get back up stronger and wiser! If you have any interesting resolutions, share them below and have a #LeydenPrideDay