New Year's Resolutions

It’s that time of year again—New Year’s. With that comes back the phrase, “new year, new me”. In case you live under a rock, New Year's resolutions are a list of goals or commitments you set for yourself at the start of a new year. It’s about personal improvement by breaking bad habits or making positive ones.
I think everyone thinks of at least one thing they want to improve about themselves. Everyone realizes this the same way, in the middle of the night, with a random burst of motivation. Then you go on and on about what you will do differently next year. But the truth is, most of us don’t stick to our goals.

Why Most Resolutions Fail
Studies show that only 8 to 12% of people achieve their resolutions by the end of the year. About 80% of resolutions fail by February. I’m sure that’s a lot worse than you thought, but there’s a reason for this. Most people don’t make their goals with a clear and achievable plan. For example, “becoming a millionaire” (I’ve thought of that too), without knowing how you will do it step by step, will be overwhelming and discouraging to achieve.
The other main reason is after a few weeks, the initial excitement just goes away. For example, most people say they want to build muscle or lose weight. Without much visible progress in the first month, most people lose their drive, which explains why gyms are always full in January.

The Impact of Failed Resolutions on Mental Health
Failing New Year's resolutions ends up worsening the situation for most people. We blame ourselves for not following through. We think of it as a reflection of our discipline and willpower, which isn’t true. This leads to increased stress and anxiety, especially by comparing yourself to the results people show online.
Today, experiencing failure discourages people from setting goals altogether. Taking risks or making changes in your life is now more avoided than ever because of the fear of repeating past disappointments. The truth is, the way we set up our resolutions in the first place is setting us up for failure.

How to Make New Years Resolutions Correctly
It’s important to make SMART goals. This stands for Small, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. This means starting with small changes, so you can adapt to your new schedule. Your goals should be realistic and allow you to make noticeable changes by the end of the year. What you choose to achieve should be relevant to your long-term plans, so reach for whatever matters. Finally, your resolutions should be specific, for example, “losing 10 pounds” instead of just “losing weight”. This way, there is a fixed goal to reach.

All in all, New Year’s resolutions have the right idea to help us make the best version of ourselves. However, most people don’t stay as committed as they hoped, which can be discouraging. But if you plan it out correctly, you can reach your goals for the new year!