As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, thrill sweeps over millions of people worldwide, inspiring them to set resolutions for the year ahead. It's a time to reset as we reflect on the past and envision a brighter future. 

Within 30 days after the 2023 ball dropped, YouGov polled one thousand Americans about their future visions for themselves. Their top aspirations? To enhance physical well-being and save more money.

 

2023 Statistics Revealed Room For Improvement

The data analysis showed that of the people polled, only approximately 7% of people made it to February.  The poll seems to suggest the rumors of failing resolutions are true. Why do we fizzle out?

It seems like the journey from resolution to realization can be challenging! Even if you don’t formally make New Year’s Resolutions, it’s clear that many of us start the year with the best intentions, but these goals easily fall by the wayside as life goes on.

Why Do New Year's Resolutions Fail?

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and optimism of setting goals for a new year, but without a clear understanding of why resolutions are not fulfilled, it can be difficult to make meaningful progress. 

Here are a few factors that contribute to their lack of success:

Lack of Approach-Oriented Goals

Research has shown that goals that focus on reaching specific desired outcomes are more successful than goals that focus on avoiding something. Therefore, resolutions framed as positive actions create a mindset that naturally encourages our motivation and progress. 

Uncharted Progress

The way in which we monitor our progress significantly impacts our chances of success. If we don’t track it, we can’t improve it. 

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

A fixed mindset reflects the parts of us that fear failure and believe we cannot change. Therefore, we may avoid challenging ourselves in meaningful ways, and are even likely to unwittingly stop ourselves from making progress towards our goals. If we view feedback as criticism and feel insecure about ourselves, we create negative feedback loops that keep us fixed in the problems. 

However, the human brain is essentially wired for life-long learning. 

A growth mindset is one that understands our potential for transformation through challenges. And since challenges in life are inevitable, they are seen as opportunities for growth and embraced, thereby creating a positive feedback loop that lead to success through fulfilling goals.

Strategies for Success!

If you are one of the Americans who made resolutions for 2024, set yourself up for success! Even if you haven’t set goals, it’s not too late. Perhaps this will inspire you, too.

The Right Mindset

Set yourself up for success by breaking your goal down. Whether your goal is straightforward or intricate, break it down into manageable steps and set realistic deadlines. Embrace a flexible mindset that prioritizes progress over perfection, as true transformation is found in the journey and the valuable lessons we gain along the way.

Habit Reprogramming

Intentionally changing or altering old ways of thinking, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors will greatly aid your success. Be honest with yourself about habits you have that could hold back progress, and work to strengthen your existing positive qualities that will help to enforce new patterns. 

Celebrate Your Wins

Don’t forget to celebrate along the way! Recognize and appreciate the progress you made, no matter how small. These small wins can serve as motivation to keep going. As you reach the midpoint, take the time to assess what is still missing and adjust your priorities accordingly. This ongoing evaluation ensures that your efforts remain focused and aligned with your ultimate objectives.

Since repetition is the mother of retention, I’ll leave you with a reframe: establish a clear intention, and then prioritize attention toward your new goal by consistently implementing supportive habits. Stay encouraged with positive reinforcement, and maintain patience and flexibility throughout the process.

Remember, change takes time. As we reach for our dreams, let's celebrate every step towards becoming the best version of ourselves.

Would you like help making successful 2024 resolutions? Join our Free Guided Meditations this January (see calendar on pg 26). Nikki Paschar, the owner of Heart Maps for Empaths, is an expert in helping individuals overcome burnout through the use of hypnotherapy, breathwork, and movement techniques. Contact her at NikkiPaschar.com or 352-809-2429.