Why we make New Year’s Resolutions
When the New Year approaches, many of us reevaluate our priorities in life. For example, we might desire to quit smoking, reduce our drinking, or go to the gym more. When the sun rises on 1 January, we leap out of bed with this newfound drive to be healthier.
It’s a tradition that’s endured for thousands of years. Historians claim that even the ancient Babylonians made resolutions at the beginning of their calendar year over 4000 years ago! And in contemporary times, our resolutions and goals have continued, part and parcel, due to this annual custom.
Research conducted by comparison website Finder found that 73% of Australians – the equivalent to over 14 million people – set at least one New Year’s resolution at the beginning of the year. Of the people they surveyed, most had goals to improve their fitness (36%) or eat more healthily (39%). There were also more sweeping declarations, such as striving for a better work-life balance (10%), getting more sleep (19%) and quitting drinking or gambling altogether (2%). Yet, for many, these commitments don’t last. So, let’s explore why our New Year’s Resolutions may fail to stick.
Why many New Year’s Resolutions fail
It’s a tale as old as time: We set a New Year’s Resolution, such as leading a healthier lifestyle, and slowly but surely, many of us commence this odyssey, and over time, our commitment to ourselves starts to wane. We push ourselves to make sure our resolution sticks, but unfortunately, it’s reminiscent of old blue tac—it isn’t going to stay stuck for long. Why does this happen? And how does it happen?
The reason could be the practicality of your resolution. Big goals are great, like committing to running a marathon or losing 20 kg by June. However, if you go into this self-exploratory journey without prior preparation, knowledge, or realistic expectations, the finish line may feel too distant. Thus, our resolutions can slowly drift away.
Another reason could be they don’t fully align with our values, as they might be based on others’ resolutions rather than our own. Also, sometimes, deep down, we might be afraid of the hard work we might need to get there. Studies suggest that we’re more likely to want to achieve a task if the action gives us a hit of dopamine (the feel-good hormone). Our brains release dopamine when we do pleasurable activities like listening to our favourite music, lounging in the sun, or eating our favourite foods.
We’ve now discussed the negatives, but this article is supposed to be empowering. So, let’s find the positives in making resolutions and explore how to make your New Year’s Resolutions stick…
How to make your New Year’s Resolution stick
- Be realistic
So many New Year’s resolutions are difficult to achieve from the outset. A big sweeping pledge like “I’m going to run 10 km every weekend” when you don’t like running is unlikely to come to fruition. Instead, pick an activity you enjoy, like taking long walks while listening to music, and allow this to shape your goal. - Establish a level of accountability
When we complete a task we don’t enjoy, it’s usually done because there’s a consequence if we don’t do it. So, if your goal is to stop procrastinating at work, ask your co-worker to give you a friendly nudge when you start staring at your phone mid-morning. It’s also important to reward yourself if you are achieving your goals, so write down your targets along with a reward – big or small – when each target is achieved. - Small steps are often the best
If you have an overall goal, it’s okay to take smaller steps initially to achieve it. In our running scenario, very few people can go out and run a marathon—it takes training that initially begins with smaller runs and even walks that increase in distance. - Allow yourself to fail
A habit is hard to form, and on some days, you won’t achieve the desired task you’ve set yourself. It’s essential in these moments to know that it’s okay to fail. Don’t let the occasional missed exercise class or Friday doughnut throw you off. Most people slip up in the first month, but those who continue to persist with their goals, in spite of or because of their slip-ups, are the most successful.
Support is always on hand to help you achieve your goals
Whether you’ve set a New Year’s Resolution, financial goals, or workplace objectives, our expert team are available to help you reach for the sky. Our consultants are versed in nutrition and lifestyle counselling, financial coaching, and career coaching – to name a few. So, if you need support making your resolution stick, get in touch, and we’ll guide you through your journey. Book an appointment via our website or the Converge App!
