Why Resolutions Are Hard to Keep
2023
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Why Resolutions Don't Work
It's the end of January so most New Year's resolutions have been broken but it's not too late to reset my your intentions.
An article on Forbes stated that 80% of people will break the resolutions they made on January 1st before the month is finished.
There are reasons for these statistics and it starts by using the word resolutions. Here is how the dictionary defines the word resolution: (noun) A firm decision to do or not to do something. (example) "She kept her resolution not to see Anne any more"
As you can see to make a resolution means to make a firm decision but a lot of people fall into the trap of thinking if they slip up, they've failed. Many articles suggest creating attainable goals rather than make resolutions that sound written in stone.
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Setting Goals That Are Attainable
It's not that your resolutions aren't attainable but rather most people tend to be too broad in their statements.
If you're goal is to lose weight, you need to be more specific because losing weight leaves room for misinterpretation. An example would be that instead of making a resolution to lose weight, you write down how much weight you want to lose and make a plan to accomplish this goal.
Instead of making the resolution to exercise more, write down your intent. Writing down your intentions can benefit you greatly because the universe can help us manifest positive changes but we have to put in work as well. An example would be to write down which exercise you want to do more of this year or an exercise you'd like to try.
Simplicity is key to keeping goals so it's not recommended to set a list of 20 New Year's resolutions that you will end up breaking due to being overwhelmed. Also, habits take time to build so you could write out each day of the week you want to exercise and the benefits of the exercise.
Writing down your goals is a big step in success. Another tip to keep up with your goals is to ask yourself why you're setting the goal to start with. Let's say a person is at a New Year's Eve party and as the clock strikes midnight, they decide one of their resolutions will be to stop smoking.
That's a great resolution but if your goal is to 9 stop smoking, then not only do you need a plan in place but listing your reasons for wanting to quit guarantees better success with the goal. It's easy to make resolutions but having a list of reasons for your resolution can help significantly.
5 Tips For Keeping Resolutions
The word 'goal' is defined like this: "The object of a person’s ambition or effort.” "An idea of the future or desired result that a person or a group of people envision, plan, and commit to achieve.”
We've covered the first tip to keeping any resolutions which is to exchange the word itself for something less demanding. Resolutions are firm decisions while goals are something to achieve and work towards. So here are the 5 tips to keep your goals on track:
- Write down what you'd like to accomplish, adding your reasons for the goal.
- Make a plan to reach your goals and also plan on slip ups. Humans aren't perfect so if you have a setback, reflect on what caused the mishap and move forward.
- Have a friend as an accountability partner. You don't have to have the same goals but it's easier to not disappoint a friend than it is to disappoint ourselves.
- If you haven't heard of SMART goals, Very Well Fit has a great article to learn what this means. SMART is an acronym for - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time.
- Prepare to not see setbacks as failure. Habits are hard to break and if you see a slip up as normal and not a failure, you'll have a better success rate of moving forward. If you find you continually keep breaking your goals, then keep in mind that it's perfectly normal to focus on your goal and reset it if it's not beneficial.
Summary
Let's quickly summarize how to start trading resolutions for goals.
Mindset is everything so instead of making resolutions that lead to disappointment, try using the word goals and write down what you'll need to do in order to achieve your goals.
Habits take time to break and time to change so be easy on yourself. If you get off track with your plans, take time to reflect on the reasons but then keep going rather than thinking of yourself as a failure. Have a buddy that can help with accountability. If you have to reset your goals because the ones you were working toward wasn't benefitting your life, be glad you realized what was happening and move forward.
Look up SMART goals and try to incorporate it into your life.
As a final thought, I read an article online that said finding one word to sum up how this year will be for you may be better than a list of resolutions. Rather than thinking this is what you want to happen, tell yourself that this is what is going to happen for you.
My word for 2023 is Inspired. This year is going to be my best creative year ever. I'm going to incorporate creativity in my personal and business life. I've decided to be inspired and be more inspiring to others.
Does anyone else make resolutions or set goals that they can reach? If so, what are your tricks to succeed?
More Reading About Resolutions and Goals
- MindTools | Home
Essential skills for an excellent career - Three Reasons You Have Already Broken Your New Year’s Resolutions
Many of us have abandoned New Year’s resolutions, which is fair. But if you really want to achieve what you set out to do, the secret is to connect to your why. Here's a simple three-step way to ensure your resolutions - and all new habits you want t - The End of the Resolution
This year, Verywell Fit and Verywell Mind are taking a joint stance against the resolution and providing readers with actionable, evidence-based ways to make lasting changes that will serve our readers’ minds, bodies, and spirits well beyond 2023.
How many have broken Resolutions
© 2023 Donetta Sifford
