The new year eases in, and you may be like many individuals who have set resolutions. Almost 40% of adults in the US create at least one resolution. What is even more staggering is that 9% stick with them. But unfortunately, the failure is often rapid, with 23% abandoning the resolution by the end of week one and 65% by the end of the first month.
You want to be that rare 4% of individuals who commit to positive change and then stick with them. The failure is often attributed to a lack of commitment to the change, conflicting priorities, a lack of support and motivation, and the inability to anticipate slip-ups.
If you intend to make a personal change this year, you may succeed by adopting a few practices.
- Understand why you want to make the change. The underlying truthful reason will be the guide and incentive.
- Be specific and set long-term tangible goals, and measurable ones are better.
- Set reasonable short-term goals that allow you to create new habits and behaviors
- Share the goals since the more people know about them, the better it is to hold you accountable.
- Have a plan of action that sets out how you plan to achieve the goal daily.
- Find an accountability partner to support you when willpower wains and motivate you with encouragement.
Some goals may be unreasonable and unrealistic, and you are setting yourself up for failure. Be patient, and be kind to yourself. If you want to change, you can do it, but if when choose to change, just do it.
