The new year is here, which means one thing:

 

People are looking closely at their behaviours and seeking ways to lead better lives.

 

Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong with that because the start of the new year can be the perfect time to make positive changes.

 

But, despite the potential benefits, we will take a slightly different approach and discuss why New Year’s resolutions fail and what might be a better approach.

 

The Problem With New Year’s Resolutions

 

New Year’s resolutions fail for many reasons: a lack of time, not knowing what to do, struggling to balance new behaviours with work and family obligations, and much more.

 

Ask the average person why they give up on resolutions before the end of January, and you can be sure they will have a good response. “Oh, I’d love to keep working out, but the kids are back to school, and I just can’t juggle the gym with everything else.”

But perhaps the biggest reason why resolutions fail is that people set them while they are in a good mood and enjoying time off work, school, and other obligations. As such, it is easy to put off self-development for later, believing they will feel just as motivated later.

 

So, as January rolls around, folks make radical lifestyle changes and daydream of how their life will change once they reach their goals. 

 

Unfortunately, the motivation doesn’t last long, especially as people return to work or school and must deal with an endless to-do list.

 

What To Do Instead

 

Setting a New Year’s resolution is not bad, but your success largely depends on doing it the right way. If you’ve ever given up on a resolution, you probably realise how true that is.

 

Here are a few suggestions for setting better resolutions:

 

1. Limit the number of resolutions by starting with one or two. 
2. Choose a specific goal and set a deadline. For example, “I want to lose 5 kilograms by mid-March.” 
3. Make an action plan for your resolution. Get clear on what actions you need to take and the details surrounding each: what, when, where, and how long.
   
   For example, if one resolution is to start working out, get specific: “I’m going to visit my local gym (where) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 6 to 7 PM (when, how long). I will be doing full-body workouts (what).” 
4. Start small. Too many people make radical changes and overwhelm themselves to get quick results. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work because we are creatures of habit and huge changes are often unsustainable.
   
   Instead, begin with a few simple and sustainable steps that barely take any motivation. For example, if your New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, don’t go on a restrictive diet; focus on having one healthy meal every day.

 

Final Words

 

The new year is here—a clean slate to work toward your goals and lead a better life. 

 

But, as with most things, how you approach the situation will considerably impact your chances of success.

 

Be careful of the common roadblocks and follow our recommendations to set yourself on the right path in 2023.

 

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