The clock striking midnight on December 31st is for many people a time of reflection, celebration, and anticipation. People around the world often make New Year's resolutions, setting goals and intentions for the year ahead. This tradition is deeply ingrained in our culture, but is it a good thing for people looking to achieve their goals?
The main problem with this tradition is that it often sets people up for disappointment and failure. Consider the classic example: the rush to join the gym. 12% of the gym membership sales across the year come from January, with a massive 18% of them expected to be cancelled by the end of February.
Why does this happen? Part of the problem lies in the psychology of New Year's resolutions. The pressure to make change starting at 7am on January 1st, after staying up all night partying. Then after waking up at 1pm on that day, you realise you’ve already failed your “get up early and go to the gym” goal, so what do you do? You feel bad, and you don’t go, and your gym membership application form sits and gathers dust. We often set unrealistic goals and expect immediate results, leading to frustration when the progress is slow or non-existent.
One of the key reasons not to wait for New Year's to work on your resolutions is the power of immediate action. You might be feeling heavily motivated right now to start working toward this goal, postponing it until New Year's leaves motivation up to chance. When you set a goal or make a resolution, the longer you wait to act, the more likely you are to lose motivation and drive to succeed.
Think of it this way: if you set a goal to start a new exercise routine on January 1st but spend the months leading up to December sticking to your current routine, you're missing out on valuable time that could be spent making progress, and potentially making it harder for yourself come January. On the other hand, if you start today, you're already months closer to achieving your main goal.
Immediate action has a benefit to your mental wellbeing as well. When you take the first step toward your goal today, you build a sense of accomplishment and confidence, and feel less like you are putting it off. This early success can fuel your motivation to continue working. Goal-setting should be an ongoing process throughout the whole year, If you have a new resolution or objective in mind, there's no need to wait for January 1st to start working towards it.
Working on your resolutions year-round doesn't mean that it will be any easier. Challenges and setbacks are always going to be a part of the journey. However, when you're committed to improvement, you're better equipped to overcome these obstacles.
Here are some strategies for overcoming common challenges:
Stay Flexible: Life is unpredictable, and your circumstances can change. Be willing to adjust your goals and plans as needed to accommodate changes and obstacles.
Seek Support: Don't be afraid to ask for help when you encounter challenges. Whether it's a friend, family member, or mentor, having someone to encourage you can make all the difference, and if you have someone who is heading toward a similar goal, working together can be a great way to keep each other motivated.
Learn from Setbacks: Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as opportunities for learning and growth. Analyse what went wrong and use that knowledge to make improvements.
Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Recognizing your achievements with rewards can boost your motivation and keep you on track for more successes.
In conclusion Waiting for New Year's to work on your resolutions, is often a bad idea, Instead, focus on taking immediate action, setting clear goals, adopting a year-round mindset, and overcoming challenges every day. By doing so, you can break free from the cycle of waiting for New Year's to set your goals and targets and start achieving.
We'd love to hear about your experiences with resolutions and personal growth. Have you successfully pursued your goals year-round? Do you have tips or stories to share? Leave a comment below. Follow us on our social media pages below, for updates on future blogs.