Winter brings an increased motivation for self-improvement, which naturally leads to the classic tradition of New Year’s Resolutions.
New Year’s resolutions are a perfect opportunity for individuals to make changes in their lives. Unfortunately, today’s society has veered away from this idea, often lacking the motivation to do so.
The New Year’s resolution tradition became established with the start of early Christianity. It was made as a time to reflect on past mistakes and find solutions, or resolutions, to them.
In modern times, however, only about 45% of Americans participate in this tradition and about 8% are successful in achieving their goals. This statistic may discourage many from even trying, even though resolutions are aimed to help and motivate a person rather than detract from personal progress. So the question is, how does someone come up with a resolution and stick to it?
Common resolutions often include exercising more, eating healthier and saving money. However, the entire point of a resolution is to improve the individual’s unique qualities. For some, focusing on physical or financial health may not be a priority; they might prefer to concentrate on other aspects of their lives. For instance, some unique resolutions could involve improving social and mental health, like socializing more or journaling your thoughts daily. Each person’s needs and desires vary, so it’s essential to reflect on one’s life and identify what changes would be most meaningful.
When a resolution truly reflects an individual’s aspirations, it becomes significantly easier to maintain. However, motivation can still deplete over time. One effective strategy to keep the momentum going is to establish a reward system. By setting small, achievable goals within the larger resolution, individuals can celebrate their accomplishments, which can help maintain morale and provide motivation to reach the next milestone.
It’s also crucial to avoid burnout. Often, people go all-in when setting their goals, leading to exhaustion and ultimately, failure to continue. Taking a gradual approach can make the overall goal feel less daunting and more manageable over time For example, if the goal is to be more active, try setting up a workout plan, and gradually work out more and more every week. Start working out one day a week, then bump it up to two, and so on.
In the end, New Year’s Resolutions do not have to end in failure. This season, let’s strive to conquer our goals Hillers, one step at a time!
