Why New Years Resolutions Don't Work
Woohoo it’s a new year!
This means it’s time to set goals and resolutions. Are you excited to get a new start so that you can improve your life, health and relationships? Ready to set those well-intended intentions?
YES, but there’s a catch!
We all know that by the time February hits we’ve almost completely abandoned our intentions and gone back to our usual habits :-(
How many New Year's resolutions have you made in your life? How many have you successfully accomplished? New Year's resolutions often require you to start or quit something. I mean, let’s face it — it’s pretty pointless waiting all year to decide on one or two things that you kinda, sorta want to stop doing AND WE USUALLY FAIL.
It’s all in your unconscious mind
Bare with me here as I break down why they don’t always work.
There is a multitude of reasons why we can’t make those New Year's Resolutions last: we don’t actually set realistic goals and they don’t have value (I want to get fit as opposed to I want to run 5kms by the end of February) but the main reason is that our resolutions are made at the 'conscious' level. The conscious mind drives just 5% of your behaviour compared to your ‘unconscious’ which drives 95% of your behaviour ie. how you behave without even thinking, your habitual behaviour.
So unless your goal is aligned to your ‘unconscious’ filters (values, beliefs, etc ) which influence your thoughts, feelings and behaviour then you are likely to wander off track.
Your current behaviours are set by your environment. Most people have automated their current behaviours by staying in the same environment. Want a different behaviour? Automate it in a new environment.
The Science of Changing Habits
Here's what you need to know about changing existing habits or making new ones.
You need to do your changes 7 times for it to stick and 21 times to create a new habit (this is based on science)
And once you’re all set, the final step is to change the narrative in your head by waking up each morning and saying to yourself ‘I’m choosing to be __________today’. There’s a massive body of scientific research that will tell us what we think and say to ourselves is what we become.
No matter what your resolution, remember that habits are hard to break and it’s about being realistic and setting doable tasks. Take your time. Don’t pressure yourself. A little goes a long way! Have a safe Happy New Year everyone. Let’s get 2022 started! Follow the steps below to make your resolutions work.
Here’s how to make better resolutions:
STEP ONE: Celebrate your success
Write down every single accomplishment you had in 2021. Making new friends, maintaining healthy relationships, doing well at something. Make a long extensive list. That way you can see you are capable of success.
STEP TWO: Set goals and break them down into smaller steps.
Saying “I’m going to start eating healthy” isn’t enough. It’s about small steps, not huge leaps:
Replace an old habit with a new one (adding a squeeze of lemon to a glass of mineral water instead of pouring a sugary drink)
Choose a small change (getting healthy is a BIG action so maybe start with eating an apple or a handful of nuts for an afternoon snack)
Extend an existing habit. Let’s say you eat 2 vegetables with your meal at night (a way to get healthier would be to add one more so instead of only sweet potato and corn, add baby spinach).
The new action needs to be easy peasy (you might make it easy for you to make a smoothie every morning if you have all the ingredients ready and washed in the fridge ready to go).
STEP THREE: Be realistic with what you can achieve
Setting goals that are achievable help bring success. There is no point in setting yourself a goal that isn’t realistic
Emotionally, physically and financially - how much of this goal can I handle? It’s not a race. Take your time with it.
STEP FOUR: Start Journaling
Get yourself a special journal to record your progress. Journaling is a proven technique to help you reflect, move forward and support your wellbeing. Something you feel is your own. It’ll excite you to write in it.
STEP FIVE: Get support
Whether it’s a health coach, personal trainer or a supportive friend, having someone to support you and keep you accountable will help you along the way. I have a few accountability partners and I would not achieve what I have without them in my life (Fi and Emily..you’re my girls)
