You walk into the gym on Jan. 1 to start your New Year off strong, but the gym seems to be empty. You think it might be because everyone is getting their gym membership that day.
You come back the next day and the gym is packed. You wonder how long the gym will stay in this condition?
Two weeks later, you come back and the number of people there has gone down the drain.
You look at your phone to check the date, and it’s Jan. 17. You realize you aren’t actually that shocked, as Jan. 17 is known as “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions day.”
According to Columbia University, around half of American citizens set New Year’s resolutions, but only a fourth stay committed to completing them after the first 30 days. Additionally, less than 10% of those people who last past this date actually complete their goal.
Most people you know— or maybe even yourself— set goals for the upcoming New Year. Personally, I find myself scrolling on social media trying to find New Year’s resolutions that I would like to accomplish, and I end up compiling a couple in my head with the hope to move forward with them for the whole year. But, when all is said and done, I never end up following through with them. It’s as if I just set them to be able to say that I have set a New Year’s resolution.
There is a constant feeling that I have to make a New Year’s resolution and that right when Jan. 1 hits, I have to begin to work towards it. In my opinion, it’s the steps you make for your goal that affect the outcome and, without sufficient steps, you won’t complete your goal.
If you want to put in the work to complete the resolution you set, do it. No one is going to tell you that you can’t do it because it’s your mindset and how you choose to go about your goal that dictates the outcome.
I always think that I will easily be able to complete these goals, but the hardest part for me is attempting to achieve unrealistic goals. Some of you may relate to this. It’s easy for people to create unrealistic goals for themselves in order to fulfill their wants for the year but without having a plan to achieve them, it’s very hard to do so.
Things we do in our day-to-day life are habits and a part of our routine. Many people don’t understand that it’s necessary to know the steps you need to take in order to accomplish your goal, and not just set a broad goal.
Changing your behaviors in your daily routine is a challenge, so you should outline specific actions that you’re willing to take.
My advice is not to overwhelm yourself with the thought of I have to get this done; if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, then you’re not making, or going to make, progress.
