Written by Megan Seis
2022 has flown by and we have completed another lap around the sun. I guarantee if you took a moment and spent some time reflecting on the year gone by there would be numerous fond memories.
Maybe you just finished your first year of uni, moved away from home, got a new job, started a new sport or hobby, or simply just had some great times.
With this fond reflection comes an overshadowing thought that some things could be done better. Maybe you could exercise more, eat better, lose that Christmas chub, read more, stop drinking or smoking, or spend more time with friends.
As the New Year approaches, this is the perfect time to load up on resolutions to start on the 1st of January with the intention that these will automatically fall into our daily schedule and routine without any questions asked.
Starting a New Year’s resolution
This is all well and good for the first week, maybe two, then life starts getting in the way… You go away for a family holiday and a few days away from the gym turns into a few weeks, one beer on the beach turns into a night at the club, or one piece of cake for a birthday turns into eating a whole cake at the kitchen bench in the middle of the night.
This scene is all too familiar for far too many people who set themselves up with New Years resolutions.
A study has shown that only 46% of people who make New Year’s resolutions were successful, meaning over half the people who set these goals fail.
The odds are against us!
35% of participants who failed their New Year’s Resolutions admitted they had unrealistic goals, 33% did not keep track of progress, 23% forgot about them, and 10% claimed they made too many resolutions.
A compiled list of top 10 New Year’s resolutions includes.
- Exercise more
- Lose weight
- Get organised
- Learn a new skill or hobby
- Live life to the fullest
- Save more money / spend less money
- Quit smoking
- Spend more time with family and friends
- Travel more
- Read more
These are all things we wish to change in our lives; however, it is important to have goals that are measurable and realistic to fit in your life.
How to stay on track this New Year
In order to have the greatest chance of success this New Year, here are a few tips to help stay on track!
- Mentally prepare for change as changing ingrained habits isn’t easy
- Set a goal that motivates you
- Limit resolutions to a manageable amount – it’s better to smash one resolution well than do a poor job of multiple
- Be specific and SMART when setting goals – specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-sensitive
- Break up big goals into smaller goals ie. breakdown a year’s worth of resolution into monthly tasks
- Write down your goals to be more accountable
- Share your resolutions with others
- Automate where possible – schedule it into your day or calendar to make it more achievable
- Review your resolution regularly and do regular check-ins to make sure you’re on track
- If you fall off track, don’t let it worry you. just get back on
When you have a chance, sit down, and think about these tips before making any rash decisions that will inevitably end up spiralling into failure. Good luck!
