Achieving Your New Years Resolutions!

What is a New Year’s resolution?

A New Year's resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to participate in an act of self-improvement beginning on New Year's Day.

History of the New Year Resolution.

1. Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and repay their debts.
2. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named.
3. In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.

Are New Year’s Resolutions Successful?

Statistically New Year’s resolutions are not successful….. 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later and only 8% of people actually achieve one of their resolutions and stick with it throughout the year!

It is important to remember that the New Year isn’t really meant to serve as a catalyst for sweeping character changes. It is supposed to be a time for people to reflect on their past year’s behavior and look at making positive changes. People tend to make grand sweeping resolutions at New Year’s which are fuelled by hope and a competitive edge as they try to ‘outdo’ other people’s declarations.

Make Your Resolutions Stick.

So if so many people fail to follow through on their resolutions how can you make this year different? The following is a good guide to making and following through on realistic resolutions.

1. Start small – if your goal is to eat healthier, make a vow to make one small change towards better eating each week. If your goal is to get exercising, make a promise to yourself to get your body moving 3 days a week.
2. Make your goals achievable – There is no point chasing a goal that you can’t reach, set a goal you can reach each week, that all lead to the achievement of your greater goal. For example if you want to have lost 10kg and be healthier and fitter by next New Year, choose a goal of eating healthy and exercising , then break those goals down again into smaller goals of changing 1 thing about your eating each week and going for a 15 min walk each day. Those goals are easily achieved and you can build upon them to eventually grab that bigger goal!
3. One thing at a time – Don’t try to create a complete life overhaul all at once, change one action or behaviour at a time, focus on that step and celebrate your small successes at each stage along the way.
4. What’s your why? – think about the deeper reason you want to achieve your goal. I don’t mean dropping a few kg so you can wear a bathers (though for some people that will be motivation enough),but things like being able to play with your kids, or preventing diabetes. …..what is your REAL reason for wanting to reach that goal the thing that will drive you when the going gets tough.
5. Tell people your plans – This is called accountability, the more people you tell the less chance you have of not following through.
6. Be realistic – Real change takes time, it may take several failures, as you learn the best road to achieving your goals… but whatever you do don’t beat yourself up if you fail – see it as a lesson learned on what not to do next time.. Then jump back up and give it another go.
7. Get backup-This is about creating a support network, don’t tell people who will be negative about your goals, seek out those who will encourage you, who understand your desire, who will give you a push when you need it.
8. Use whatever it takes – Join a gym, hire a Health Coach, put a new app on your phone, keep a food diary… whatever means it takes to help you reach your goals. What works for you may not have worked for others and visa-versa, you have to try different things to find what works for you.
9. Find a mentor – seek out someone who is where you want to be, mimic their actions their behaviours, if you want to be successful then do what a successful person does. It may not be 100% right for you but it will give you a starting point to adapt your own behaviours to.

1. Reward your success – People often wait until they gain their biggest goal before being ready to celebrate… don’t! Every step you get in the right direction is a cause for celebration. Behavioural change isn’t easy but it is rewarding when you can look back and see the changes you have made making an overall difference to your life. There are lots of ways to celebrate, make a facebook post, buy a new outfit, take a photo, get a new hairdo, tell your friends, however you choose!