If we want to reach our goals, we’re supposed to identify what they are, figure out a plan for how we’re going to get there, and measure our results along the way to see how we’re doing. That’s Personal Development 101. New Year’s Resolutions are supposed to hone in on this improvement instinct and help us achieve our goals in a new year. However, today I’m going to talk about how most people fail at New Year’s resolutions — and how you can do better.
3 Ways to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions in 2018
The Statistics Behind New Year’s Resolutions
Before I tell you about how to achieve your New Year’s resolutions, let’s look more deeply at the tradition. Making New Year’s resolutions is incredibly common. In fact, I’d say the majority of people we work with make New Year’s resolutions.
Of those who do, vast majorities are successful for that first week, but — unsurprisingly — by the end the month the numbers start to fall. By the end of six months, the amount of successes are basically non-existent.
Studies have shown that from those who made a New Year’s resolution, only 8% of them are consistently successful with it.
The odds don’t look so great, true or true? That’s why you’re probably thinking, “Why the hell should I bother making New Year’s resolutions, if there is a good chance I won’t succeed?”
Here’s why…
When it comes down to it, this is the difference between successful and unsuccessful people. Successful people make decisions and stick to them, and unsuccessful people don’t. You’re either dead serious and 100% committed, or you’re not. There is no in-between.
It’s really that simple.
Do I believe in resolutions? No not really. I don’t like them. Instead, I like goals, and I like intentions. I think resolutions are overrated, but I love the idea behind them.
1. Instead of Resolutions, Make Goals and Intentions
I think it’s fine to look at an area you want improve or need to fix, make a commitment, and then do it. However, I think our society has lost sight of the process itself. Your New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t feel like a list where you want to change EVERYTHING.
As a matter of fact, that’s the worst thing you can do. If you follow that formula, you’re setting yourself up for failure. That’s what unsuccessful people do. Instead, remember we are creatures of habit. You either have successful habits or unsuccessful habits.
We want you to build successful habits, so here’s what I believe is your best chance to succeed.
First, only pick something that you’re SUPER serious and set on changing. Something that you know deep down in your bones you want to make this thing happen. This isn’t something that would be ‘nice to have’ or would be ‘great if it was different.’ No, that’s a surefire way to fail. Pick something that’s a necessity for you to work on.
Once you have some ideas of what those necessities might be, then I want you to pick only ONE resolution for now.
2. Make Only One Resolution
Why only one?
Well, because the key here is to start small and create a win for yourself. When you do this, you create confidence; you create momentum; and you move into more and more action. If you have too many things going on, there’s a very good chance you won’t be able to do it all. You’ll likely forget or get overwhelmed, and you’ll slowly but surely start to fade away from what you wanted to achieve.
That’s why you need to stick to just ONE resolution for now. Only once you begin to engrain this resolution, and it becomes part of your everyday life can you add a new resolution.
Fair? I hope you said yes.
And that’s it. Pretty simple, yes? It’s not anymore complicated than that.
3. Forget the Odds and Make a Resolution
Despite what sounds like bad odds of being successful with resolutions, people who make New Year’s resolutions are 10-times more likely to be successful at achieving their goals than those who didn’t set resolutions.
Duh, right?! You can’t be successful at something you haven’t defined yet! That’s why you need to make sure you do something this year to improve your life and make it better than last year.
In summary, whatever resolution you make for the coming year, decide now how important it is to you, knowing deep down in your bones that fear, outdated habits, or obstacles are not going to be enough to keep you from meeting your goals.
Don’t waste your time with things you aren’t SUPER serious about (for now).
And pick ONE resolution to start, no more!
I wish you nothing but the best of luck and good fortune in this upcoming year.
This has been a great year for myself and Harv Eker International. We have a lot of amazing new teachings coming your way in 2018. Make sure you’re subscribed to our weekly lessons so you don’t miss a beat.
For Your Freedom,
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