The New Year provides a great opportunity to make a fresh start, and it’s easier said than done. By the last week of January, the vast majority have abandoned goals that were set at the start of the year. If you want to make some shifts in your life in 2019, take a few minutes to review the 9 reasons people abandon their New Year’s Resolutions and see if any of these apply to you. You’ll learn tips to help you stick with your intentions to make the shifts you desire.
Reason 1: Working Alone
Most people have a higher success rate when they have outside support. Working with a buddy creates accountability, which is an essential part of success.
Reason 2: Unrealistic Goals
Have you set a goal that’s impossible to reach? Focus on embracing the present and what you can do to make a small shift happen today. If you’ve set a goal that is unattainable, rework the goal. For example, losing 60 pounds in four months may be unrealistic, but losing 20 pounds in four months, or 60 pounds over 12 months, is more attainable.
Reason 3: Poor Time Management
Instead of trying to accomplish something all in one day, break it up into manageable increments.
For example, if you have a goal to organize your office, commit to devoting five minutes a day to decluttering and organizing. No matter how busy you are, you can find five minutes a day. This will also help you form a new daily habit.
Reason 4: Giving up too Easily
Whether you get discouraged or simply lose interest, giving up too easily is a big resolution breaker. Giving up is often related to setting unrealistic goals (#2 above). If you have set a bigger goal, break it into smaller pieces.
For example, if you have a goal to lose 20 pounds in four months, break that down. That’s five pounds a month, or 1.25 pounds a week. You can break the weekly goals into number of calories to burn or reduce in your dietary intake. One pound = 3500 calories, so 1.25 pounds = 4375 calories. That’s a calorie deficit of 625 calories a day, which can be attained by a combination of reducing calories consumed and increasing calories burned through daily exercise.
Reason 5: No Plan
You need a plan in place for how you will achieve your goal. It’s helpful to break a big goal down into smaller, weekly goals. Create a schedule on your calendar, with an action step identified every day that will get you closer to your desired result.
Reason 6: Financial Constraints
Some people give up on their resolutions because of the cost associated with reaching a goal. For example, you may have a goal to get fit, but the monthly gym membership may not fit into your budget. Be creative and look for less expensive ways to reach your goals. There are many cardio and strength training options that require no equipment. You can do a Google search to find lots of great ideas. I found one resource here that offers seven ways to get fit without a gym membership.
Reason 7: Lack of Commitment
Determine if you are just interested in something or if you are actually committed to it. For more about this, read my blog, What Are You Committed to for 2019.
Reason 8: Poor Perspective
Rather than dwelling on what you have not accomplished, focus on what you will accomplish. A shift in perspective can make a huge difference in how you feel, which will affect your outcome. Focus on the glass half full rather than the glass half empty.
Reason 9: Negative Social Circle
Not all social circles are positive, and you may suffer from the influence of toxic “friends” who drag you down.
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” -Jim Rohn
Who do you allow into your inner circle? Do they drag you down or lift you up?
For example, if you intend to quit smoking or drinking and your social circle consists of people who have a cigarette in one hand and a drink in the other, spending time with your friends will make it tough to quit. If you intend to eat healthy and be more active — and those in your social circle eat an unhealthy diet and live a sedentary life — these changes will be harder for you to make and keep.
Resolve to detox your life. When you recognize that your circle of friends includes one or more toxic individuals, find ways to minimize their negative influence by figuratively pushing those individuals to the back of the room so you can make room for those who positively influence your life.
Make 2019 the year you clear a path to a more positive life! For more on this topic, read my blog Is Negativity Bias Running Your Life?
If you’d like a fresh perspective – someone to help you create a blueprint to honor your intentions — let’s schedule a no-cost, no-pressure Discovery Call today.
Additional Resources:
- Blog: Ring in the New Year with Intention
- Blog: What Are You Committed to for 2019
- Blog: Keep Going!
- Blog: Is Negativity Running Your Life?
- Blog: Is Negativity Bias Running Your Life?
- Guide: Living with Purpose
