Why do some people keep on repeating the same “New Year’s Resolution” every year? Here are the reasons I’ve identified: 

 

“I will lose weight this year.”  

Resolutions are too general and less action-oriented. If you want to lose weight, then enumerate specific action plans that can lead you to your goal.

“I will not eat junk foods anymore.” 

Unrealistic resolutions brought about by perfectionist attitude can make you abandon your behaviour change efforts for just failing to fulfill a task in one day.

You could have achieved their goals at some point during the year, but unable to continue due to unforeseen events and priorities. There was a lack of solid commitment to oneself and support from others in sustaining a changed behaviour.

Try the following strategies that I personally find effective:

1. Check

Your New Year’s resolution should have a basis.  What are the that major issues that you want to resolve so you can make yourself better this year? Take time to analyze what happened during the past year.

First, write down the positive things and improvements that happened in your life (physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social) last year. Reflect for a while (refer to the sample below).

Physical	Intellectual	Emotional	Spiritual
Eliminated processed products from diet	Learned more about positive psychology	Was able to let go of things of I couldn’t give up for the longest time	Spent more time in praying and meditating

Then enumerate the things that you still wish to accomplish this year (refer to the sample below).

Physical	Intellectual	Emotional	Spiritual
Lose a realistic amount of weight	Learn a new skill related to my interests	Become a more positive person	Encourage the whole family to be more prayerful

Now you can create your New Year’s Resolutions.

What are the realistic things you can do to achieve your goals so you can have a better year? These are behaviours that you need to change and focus on (based on your last year’s analysis) to reach a desired outcome (refer to the sample below).

Physical	Intellectual	Emotional	Spiritual
Drink more water regularly	Attend more continuing education	Spend more time with my family	Meditate more

2. Commit

One of the major reasons why people fail to stick to their goals is because forget about it. Write the behaviours you are willing to to improve in your phone or lap top. Always check your list every week or as often as you need to then you will be amazed about your progress as time goes by.  Communicate your thoughts with others and ask the support of your loved ones to bring you closer to your. Being able to commit to your goals will increase your motivation to continuous self-improvement.

“ I will stay away from social media before 10pm so I can sleep before 11 (end goals: stronger immune system and better energy level during the day)

“I will lessen my red meat, limiting it to 2 servings a week and focus on eating good fats like avocado, seeds, nuts and olive oil (end goal: improve cholesterol level to have a better health)

3. Change

Make enough effort to develop your new habits. This requires discipline, consistency and passion. You might not be able to accomplish everything in one year, but achieving some changes, big or small, will empower you to become better every year.  Nobody is perfect, learn to forgive and accept yourself despite the mistakes and failures, so you can easily bounce back and try again, but with more wisdom and inner strength.