You Can Do It! - How to Make Your New Year's Resolution Stick.

You Can Do It! - How To Make Your New Year’s Resolution Stick.

You can do it

How to make your New Year’s Resolutions stick

We all do it. On the brink of a new year, we think about our goals and how we want to change as we head into 2019.  Whether it’s wanting to eat more balanced, achieve career goals, quit smoking, be more positive… it’s easy to say you’re going to do something, but when it comes to actually doing it… well, that’s another story.

According to U.S. News, approximately 80 per cent of resolutions fail by the second week of February.  In a research study by Cornell University of Chicago, researchers found that 55.2 per cent of resolutions were health related, 34.4 per cent were work related, and 5.2 per cent were social goals. So why do we make New Year’s Resolutions if the odds are against us in the first place?

Well, for one, oftentimes they are unrealistic. Are you a two-packs a day smoker and want to quit cold turkey? Never been to the gym before and signed up for a 21-day boot camp challenge? Want to save money for that dream vacation but can’t dream of giving up your Netflix subscription?  Well, the first rule of making your New Year Resolution stick is to make achievable goals. Maybe instead of giving up smoking altogether, you start with a plan to cut back on a few cigarettes a day until you’re weaned off altogether?  Or instead of doing boot camp every day, buy a 10-class pass and go once or twice a week?  Baby steps are the key to achieving the larger picture.

The reason most resolutions fail is because people jump in headfirst and then often find they are in over their heads. As Albert Einstein famously said, “anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” Instead of beating yourself up after having that gym membership go to waste, remember that most people are in the same boat as you.  Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and maybe call a friend and ask if they want to go walk the track. Or head to the gym right after work so you won’t be tempted to hit the couch as soon as you get home. Want to save money? Start meal planning weekly so you aren’t tempted by the fast food joint down the block. Remember, it’s okay to fail every once in a while. Just start over and try going about it a different way.

Lastly, maybe this year try making a resolution with a friend or family member to keep each other accountable. Saving for that dream vacation? Maybe you can share your Netflix or Spotify account. Trying to eat more balanced? Set aside one day where you can meal prep together. Want to quit smoking? Have a buddy check up on you to keep you accountable. If you don’t have someone you can turn to for support, try starting a blog or social media account where you post updates on how you’re doing. This way you’ll have a dedicated audience cheering you on every step of the way.

Although New Year Resolutions are about change, they are also about having fun. Would you do something you don’t want to do? No. You chose this resolution because it’s something you’re choosing on changing about yourself, or setting a goal to achieve something you want.  Most resolutions fail because they are overly ambitious or not realistic for where you are in your life.  Start small, don’t give up, and keep yourself accountable. We believe in you.

For more information about mental health wellness, or to book an appointment with a psychologist for help planning a successful 2019, connect with us at Waterloo Psychology Group.

Happy New Year!

Your Waterloo Psychology Group Team