I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. Why? I can’t seem to keep them, and apparently, I’m not the only one. Forbes explains what usually happens to our brave, yet often unrealistic goals:
“New Year’s resolutions just don’t stick… only 8% of people who make resolutions succeed in keeping them.”
Hmmm, sounds to me like resolutions aren’t working out for most of us.
How I feel about New Years Resolutions
So Let’s Make Habits, Not Resolutions!
I am horrible at getting up early in the morning, and when I do I am often a zombie. I super want to change this because as dear old Ben Franklin said “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,” but so far every good intention, every effort to peel my eyes open when my alarm goes off, hasn’t done me any good.
I want to have good habits as James Clear pointed out “your life today is essentially the sum of your habits”. “What you repeatedly do (i.e. what you spend time thinking about and doing each day) ultimately forms the person you are, the things you believe, and the personality that you portray.” *gulp* There have been sooo many instances I’ve been at a social event that was important to me but just sat in the corner, foggy-brained, with a headache, and trying to ignore the super attractive, dark circles under my eyes.
It’s not just that I get out of bed too late, I also go to bed too late which doesn’t give my body much quality sleep time to rejuvenate for the next day. This coming year I want that to change–new year, new habit!
How to Make New Habits
1. Focus- Focus on making just one major change. Like, really. It will be way less overwhelming. Rather than “Be healthier, eat more chocolate, and go to Hawaii,” pick just one goal.
A buckshot resolution like “be healthier” could mean I need to make my own bread, run on the treadmill, floss three times a day, have lower stress, and get more sleep. Can you see why resolutions fail? I won’t be any healthier if I don’t start working intensively on one step towards my new, future habit. So…
2. Start Small- Break down your future behavior into mini goals. “To be healthier right now, I need to get more regular sleep.”
3. Plan- Make a detailed game plan. An example could be: “I will go to bed at 10 every night and get up nice and early in the morning.” Once you’ve nailed this goal down as a habit you can move on to the next one on your path to healthiness! Celebrate!
A Helpful Tip for Fellow Snoozers
Which leads me to my next bad habit… Snooze Button Abuse or S.B.A.
Despair not, fellow S.B.A.-ers! Read all about cool alarm clocks HERE, like the “Sonic Bomb Super Shaker Alarm Clock” that make sure you actually wake up in the morning! I may have to try one out.
Forming good habits now as teens can do so much for us in the future! Forbes mentions numerous ways early risers excel such as being “more likely to anticipate problems and minimize them efficiently, which leads to more success in the business world.” It’s worth all the work!
Who else is ready to stop making resolutions and form some life-changing habits? I’m going to be healthy, wealthy, and wise this coming year!
New Year’s resolutions are hard because most people set unrealistic goals! Starting small when setting a goal is so important because it eases you into the loop of things (such as waking up earlier and earlier)! Don’t just throw yourself in the deep end, start by dipping your toe in the water and slowly walk into the pool if you know what I mean!
Wishing you a happy new year from the Centsai team!
I completely agree! And great word picture. 😉
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Having several new year resolutions can be more stressful than fun. As you said only 8% of people keep their resolutions. This statistic really blows me away, whereas so many people try new years resolutions. I personally have tried new year resolutions. One year I decided I would try to live a healthier lifestyle. Of course that didn’t pan out, it was to big of a change. Two years ago I decided to be more specific and focus on one goal, to not drink pop. Surprisingly, I carried out with the resolution and am still applying it to me today. It has been a little over two years since I have tasted pop. Since then, I have noticed my face is clearer and I don’t feel as groggy all the time. Focusing on one specific thing is like you said, more realistic and more achievable.
Amazing accomplishment Briana. I agree. Focusing on one thing can be a big help!
Wow, what a great testimony of applying a sound method and succeeding! Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Good point right here Anna! The tips are helpful for everyone. Also, this year is also timely not just to start a new habit but also to try to start a new hobby. I read right here http://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/04/20/need-know-turn-hobby-money-3-years/ that developing a new one can help us make more money. Also, we do not have to wait for a new year if we want to start something new. Everyday is simply an opportunity to learn and improve.
Very good points! I especially love “everyday is simply an opportunity to learn and improve”. We need to always keep that fact in mind and be encouraged by it, that every day is a new day to try again and push forward!
Thank you for your encouraging comment!