Making a set of new year’s resolutions is a tradition for many people as they welcome a fresh year. By creating a set of goals or resolutions, they set their minds on the upcoming year and plan how to work towards achieving them. But does setting resolutions or having a specific goal in mind actually work?
According to a 2002 study from the Journal for Clinical Psychology, having New Year’s resolutions may actually work. In fact, the study found that people who set their goals for the new year are more likely to succeed by 44%. So, if you are someone who has a keen focus on planning out your goals for the new year, you are setting yourself up for success.
Resolution-setting often involves avoidance-oriented goals like letting go of a bad habit. At other times, they are goals to shake things up and build a routine like a new workout plan. In any case, the new year offers a clean slate for new resolutions that could change the trajectory of the entire year.
Remember that these goals can be best achieved with constant practice and persistence. In doing so, you turn them into habits. Practice makes perfect.
What are the most popular new year’s resolutions?
Feeling overwhelmed with too many resolutions? Here are some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions to narrow down the list.
Lose weight
After the holiday cheat days, it is again time for people to get back on track with their fitness goals. For those who are just starting, the year ahead is also a good time to improve their overall health and fitness. But the road to weight loss and fitness is not as simple as it sounds. In fact to some, it will be a long, uphill climb. It is a commitment that involves consistent physical activity, eating a more balanced diet, and maybe even a new meal plan.
Quit smoking and drinking
Smoking and drinking are some of the most common vices anyone can have. That said, there are people who set quitting smoking or reducing alcohol consumption as part of their resolutions. Some stop drinking out of concern for their health or to save money. Others stop smoking for the same reasons or to improve their oral health.
Spend less, save money and better financial management
Another popular resolution for the new year is saving money. This also goes hand in hand with better financial management, and they could have a wide range of benefits. One, managing money better can help build long-term financial goals. Second, financial security can also improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. Finally, improved finances can open doors to freedom and flexibility.
Travel
Aside from relaxation and unwinding, travel offers many more benefits. For starters, it is a way to gain new experiences by immersing in new cultures. Furthermore, traveling with family is also a good way to create memories together or meet new friends. Ultimately, travel allows one to step out of their comfort zone and discover unlimited avenues for growth.
Career development
Setting career goals at the beginning of the year can provide a sense of direction and focus. This way, people feel more in control of their professional life and improve their learning potential. Furthermore, it can also open growth and opportunities for job stability and security. Lastly, knowing where you are professionally and where you are headed can help increase self-esteem and overall confidence.
Improve mental health
What happens to us mentally also manifests physically. Additionally, taking care of our mental health is essential to manage stress and anxiety. As a result, this can also help build stronger relationships, manage emotions, and allow people to communicate better with their loved ones.
Community service and volunteer work
Resolutions for the upcoming year do not always have to be inward. Other people also look towards their community and effect change there through volunteer work. This way, one can give back and leave a positive impact not only on themselves but also on the people around them. Immersing in the community allows one to meet people of different backgrounds, which can pave the way for their own self-discovery.
New hobbies and skills
Tired of sitting and watching videos that only pander to your short attention span? Learning a new skill might be a more productive way to spend that extra time. People can either learn an entirely new thing, or they simply want to improve what they know about one particular area. Lastly, goals for the new year need not be strategic. Sometimes it can be simple as having more fun by devoting time to a new hobby.
Benefits of new year’s resolutions
The sense of structure and direction is one of the top reasons why people make new year’s resolutions. By setting their goals for the year, they create clear guidelines for what they want to achieve. This way, they can focus their energy and efforts toward their goals with no other motivation but the outcome. In addition, setting resolutions oblige people to stick to the plan, take action and actually accomplish things.
Downsides of new year’s resolutions
However, new year’s resolutions could also have their downside. Often, people set themselves up for failure with unrealistic or overly ambitious goals. As a result, people feel more disappointed rather than motivated. All because they set resolutions that are not achievable in the first place. Furthermore, goals are condemned to be just dreams without a clear plan or strategy. Without a guide, it is hard to track progress and feel a sense of pride from little progress.
Lastly, new year’s resolutions have the tendency to propagate unhealthy societal expectations. Often, people lose weight to avoid comments from other people. Some may also want to take up new hobbies and interests because they feel left out. These factors make resolutions a product of external pressures rather than something out of one’s own values or desires. Ultimately, it forces people to do things they do not truly care about, making it harder to stay motivated and committed.
Weighing the pros and cons
So, are new year’s resolutions bad? Considering its pros and cons, new year’s resolutions can still be successful. To do this, it is important to keep goals on the realistic and achievable side. Additionally, it is always good to have a plan of action that aligns with one’s personal values. Lastly, always be open to flexibility and any possible future adjustments.
Is it too late for new year’s resolutions?
Just because they are called new year’s resolutions does not mean you cannot start them on any other day. When setting goals, any time within a single year is as good as the new year. Focus on the resolution part more than the new year.
Many people set goals on the first week of the year, but few people keep the new routine for the whole year round. However, personal growth is not bestowed upon new year goal-setters. It is the reward for those who continuously put time and effort into improving themselves, no matter the time of year.
How to stay consistent with new year’s resolutions?
Whether it is a dozen or just one resolution, staying consistent is a common problem when starting a new routine. That said, here are actionable points to stay committed to your goals:
Make realistic and achievable goals
Keep the challenge but try to make it realistic and achievable, so you avoid disappointment and demotivation.
Break your goals into smaller, manageable tasks
If your goals feel too intimidating, it might be best to break them into smaller, manageable tasks. Additionally, you can create a plan with specific steps, milestones, and deadlines. This way, you achieve something both in the short and long term to keep you motivated.
Track your progress
It is always good to see you have accomplished something. And that is why it is important to track your progress to help you reflect on and appreciate your progress. There are a number of ways to do this. Some prefer to write down their notes and keep a journal of progress. So as not to forget, others find color-coded post its helpful. There are also apps that can help you set goals and track their development.
Find an accountability partner
Having an accountability partner is one of the best motivators to stay on track with your new year’s resolutions. Working on a goal with family or friends who can support you helps you stay accountable and focused on your goals.
Reward yourself
Though staying committed to resolutions is challenging, it does not mean it has no room for rewards. In fact, setting up small rewards for milestones can help you stay on track by giving you something to look forward to at every milestone.
Make home investment a part of your new year’s resolution.
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