We love setting goals and resolutions in the new year, but how many times do we succeed? According to University of Scranton’s research team, only 8% of us actually succeed with our resolutions. The first two weeks usually go well, but by February, we tend to slide back to our old ways. Why is this? Our resolutions are unrealistic. We tend to set resolutions that are desirable, but unachievable. Who is really going to go to the gym 7 days a week for a year? Almost nobody. A more realistic goal would be to hit the gym a minimum of once a week. That way, it is easy to meet your goal, which encourages and propels you to continue, even push past your original goal. I tell my clients to set a goal with a 95% chance of success.
Here are four guidelines to setting New Year’s Resolutions in 2015:
- Focus on one resolution, and one resolution only!
- Have an accountability buddy, someone to whom you must report.
- Celebrate your successes before the end of the year. Made your goal all month? Celebrate each and every month!
- Focus on the present. What is the one thing you can do today that would put you closer to your goal?
Finally, don’t take yourself so seriously. Have fun and laugh at yourself when you mess up, but don’t let the slip up hold you back. Get back on that horse, and continue working at your goal.
You’ve got this!
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