subject: Why Do New Year's Resolutions Fail? [print this page] Are you making New Year's resolutions this year? If so, it could be a huge waste of your time. If you always promise to lose those stubborn 10 extra pounds - then gorge on candy once Valentine's Day rolls around - you're not alone. In fact, more than 75% of people who make New Year's resolutions fail!
How can that be? Why can't we commit to something and stick with it?
Psychologists say that New Year's resolutions can be a trap for many people, because they don't really think them through before they make them. Think about it - you've just had your third glass of champagne on New Year's Eve, when you decide to make quitting smoking your New Year's resolution.
But, according to psychologists, that spontaneity is working against you. The people who are most likely to fail at their New Year's resolutions don't have a plan for success. They think they can get by on sheer willpower. However, willpower isn't enough; it can only sustain you for so long. Soon enough, you'll give into temptation - and you'll dive right into that pack of cigarettes.
And, once you do fail, you wind up feeling worse about yourself than when you started. Now, in your mind, you're a smoker and a failure.
My advice? Don't set yourself up to fail - don't make New Year's resolutions!
Now, if you're going to go ahead and do it anyway, how do you pick a New Year's Resolution you can stick to? Here are 4 tips that'll help:
1. Plan in advance.
If you really want to have a resolution, give it some serious thought. If you want to start working out every day, think about exactly when you'll go to the gym, how you'll fit it into your schedule, and who'll watch the kids while you're there. By planning everything out in advance, you're eliminating the "wiggle room". You won't have any excuses if everything's accounted for ahead of time.
2. Break things up into smaller segments.
Sure, you want to lose 10 pounds, but you're not going to realistically lose them all in January. By breaking your resolution into smaller parts - like trying to lose 2 pounds a month for the next 5 months - you make your goal easier to achieve. That way, you can still splurge every now and then and still lose your 2 pounds for the month. By trying to lose all 10 at once, you'll deprive yourself too much and your willpower won't be able to take it.
3. Don't have a bunch of resolutions.
It's hard enough to succeed at one New Year's resolution. Bad habits are hard to break and they're even tougher to break when you're trying to break a bunch at once. Don't try to quit smoking, lose 10 pounds, and stop drinking coffee all at the same time. You'll never succeed.
4. Tell family and friends about your resolution.
By telling others about your goal, you're making yourself publicly accountable. If you fail, you'll have to tell everyone you failed. That alone can motivate you to succeed - or not make the New Year's resolution in the first place!
