The Top Reasons New Year’s Resolutions Fail
January is the month for New Year’s resolutions, quick weight loss tips, extreme diets and major goals. According to the US News & World Report, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. So what’s the problem? If we enter the new year gung-ho about achieving these goals why do they tend to fail? While everyone is different, there are some common factors that lead to failing resolutions.
Thinking too big. It’s great to have goals, but unrealistic goals can set you up for failure. Start with small goals and feed off achieving those one step at a time to motivate you to reach the bigger goal. By starting off with grandiose goals you may feel overwhelmed and put unnecessary pressure on yourself.
You’re not ready. Yes, it might be January, but make sure you are ready for the resolution you are setting for yourself. Resolutions often have to do with change and growth in yourself, which let’s face it, is not easy for anyone. Just because it is the first month of the year does not mean your goal needs to start on January 1st, and does not mean you are less likely to achieve them if you wait until you are ready.
Negativity. For so many people, overcoming negative thoughts is a serious struggle and can become a habit. But by being conscious of thinking positively and warding off your inner-pessimist, you can help give yourself the confidence to stick to your goals.
Unclear goals. What exactly are your goals for this year? Sitting down and mapping them out may sound strange, but can help you clear up your priorities and craft objectives to make the process less stressful.
Being impatient. Patience is a virtue! Whatever your goal is; weight loss, get healthy, get a promotion, build your business, I can guarantee it will not happen overnight. If you are not seeing progress as quickly as you expected, it can lead to you feeling discouraged and giving up altogether. Try to have patience with yourself, and with the process. By taking all these steps you will set yourself up for success.
There’s nothing wrong with setting goals and making strides to get healthy, but perhaps if we focus on long-term goals rather than quick fixes, we’ll be able to stick to our goals and reach them! What are your goals for 2019?
