To Resolution, Or Not to Resolution?

Just a few weeks into a new decade, many of us find ourselves reflecting on all that we have achieved, overcome, celebrated, grown, and learned in the past year. For many, setting resolutions for the new year is a common practice. But is the resolution trend a worthwhile one?

Have you ever set a resolution and stuck to it for a few weeks, only to find yourself quitting later on? If that has ever been the case, you are not alone! January 17, sometimes referred to as “Quitter’s Day”, is the day that most people give up on their new years resolutions. By mid-February, approximately 80% of resolutions have been abandoned. Pretty surprising, right?

These statistics speak volumes about resolutions and goals in health and wellness. While reflection, self-development, growth, and goal setting are all important tools, new years resolutions teach us the value of using these tools strategically. If you have ever abandoned a resolution, how did you feel afterward? Many of us probably feel a sense of disappointment, discouragement, frustration, stress, or even failure. These negative feelings that result from unrealistic expectations inhibit growth and wellbeing; the exact opposite of the intention of resolutions!

This is not to bash resolutions themselves, but to highlight that traditional new year resolutions may not be the best practice for everyone. So before diving into your 2020 resolutions, consider some of these methods and strategies to set yourself up for success:

NO PRESSURE

Setting resolutions for a full year is a huge undertaking for many of us, especially if expectations are high. The pressure we often put on ourselves in efforts towards positive change can backfire in the form of stress. While stress is helpful in some scenarios, like getting to work on time or meeting a major deadline, it is not so helpful when it comes to personal growth. Instead of setting huge goals once each year, consider setting smaller, more frequent resolutions.

BE REALISTIC

Setting unrealistic goals immediately sets us up for disappointment. When setting goals and resolutions, be honest with yourself. Is this goal attainable in the time I am allotting? Am I being reasonable in my expectations? Oftentimes categorizing goals as short-, medium-, and long-term helps to maintain realistic expectations and more accurately track progress.

CHECK-IN

Many of us set a resolution or goal, and then stop right there. But the most important piece of growth is the process itself! Check-in on your progress frequently. Am I on-track with this resolution? What am I doing now that is working? What are some obstacles that have slowed my progress? As you identify resolutions, try to brainstorm strategies that will help you be successful. What needs to happen to achieve this goal? What is one thing I can do each week to support my growth? Over time, you will discover strategies and stepping stones that best support your success.

BE FLEXIBLE

12 months is a long time to commit to a resolution! Remember that it is OK for priorities and goals to change. If you set a resolution in January that no longer feels important to you in July, swap it for something that you feel is relevant and important to you at that time in your life. Ditching a resolution because it no longer resonates with you is not failing. Alternately, it signifies that you are in-tune with your growth!

EXPERIMENT

Whatever your resolutions or goals may be, no single method or plan of action works for everyone. Your goals, priorities, strengths, weaknesses, and values are unique to you. If a strategy isn’t working, no worries! Go back to the drawing board and try something different. Not only will you be more likely to find success in your journey, but you will also learn a lot about yourself along the way.