Well, the world was supposed to end on December 21st so na na na na boo boo to the Incan calendar and Nostradamus (yeah apparently he predicted that when “Gangnam style” hit a billion views, it’d be lights out planet Earth – Google it, you’ll see).
Well, we made it, and holy shitballs it’s January 1st!!!
Doesn’t the act of putting up the new calendar necessitate us getting busy making resolutions?
Well, we made it, and holy shitballs it’s January 1st!!!
Doesn’t the act of putting up the new calendar necessitate us getting busy making resolutions?
I’m definitely not a descendant of any ancient Andrean civilization nor am I of de Nostradame lineage (am I Dad?) but I’ll make a little prediction (actually I’m poaching someone else’s research here) in stating that only 8% of people who make new year's resolutions will be able to succeed at them entirely to their satisfaction.
Statistics from a 2012 study by the University of Scranton:
· Losing weight is the #1 most common resolution;
· 46% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions;
· 76% maintain their resolutions through the 1st week, 46% go past 6 months;
· 39% of people in their 20's fulfill their resolution, while only 14% over the age of 50 do.
· Losing weight is the #1 most common resolution;
· 46% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions;
· 76% maintain their resolutions through the 1st week, 46% go past 6 months;
· 39% of people in their 20's fulfill their resolution, while only 14% over the age of 50 do.
We do it year after year… in fact we’re encouraged to do it, but why do we so commonly fail at fulfilling our resolutions?
(I’m going to continue by being a little more specific to fitness “resolutions”, but I do feel that these same thoughts are applicable to resolutions in other facets of our lives as well).
1. We don’t set our goals appropriately. Either we aim too high or too low. We set out with an “all-or-nothing” approach, leaving us feeling deprived and frustrated, or we allow ourselves too much leeway, excuses creep in and before we know it we’re right back where we started.
2. We proceed with too much gusto. You’ve heard the expression, "Rome wasn't built in a day"? Well our goals aren’t going to be achieved overnight regardless of how gung-ho we are.
3. We lack knowledge. We think that the internet and/ or a subscription to [insert magazine title in the area of interest here] will garner us the knowledge that we require to achieve our goals.
4. We don’t see results fast enough. Results take time and consistent effort. It’s a marathon – not a sprint.
5. We have no concept of improvement. People fail to objectively monitor their progress. Small improvements become overshadowed by the fact that we haven’t met our goal yet.
6. We lack true conviction. The word “resolution” is defined as the act of resolving to do (or not do) something… the making of a firm decision, and undertaking this decision with determination. But I think we’ve come to place some mystical power in the word. We’re led to believe that “if we say it out loud, then it will come to pass” and this gives us false hope and removes the need for the determination which is engrained in the definition of the word. January 1st rolls around and “Oh, it’s resolution time again… hmm… what do I want to do this year?”
Unfortunately, changing a habit(s) takes effort – there’s no easy way to make it happen, no genie will pop out and grant us our wish, and ultimately the question arises, “how badly do you want it”? Unfortunately, far too often, not badly enough.
(I’m going to continue by being a little more specific to fitness “resolutions”, but I do feel that these same thoughts are applicable to resolutions in other facets of our lives as well).
1. We don’t set our goals appropriately. Either we aim too high or too low. We set out with an “all-or-nothing” approach, leaving us feeling deprived and frustrated, or we allow ourselves too much leeway, excuses creep in and before we know it we’re right back where we started.
2. We proceed with too much gusto. You’ve heard the expression, "Rome wasn't built in a day"? Well our goals aren’t going to be achieved overnight regardless of how gung-ho we are.
3. We lack knowledge. We think that the internet and/ or a subscription to [insert magazine title in the area of interest here] will garner us the knowledge that we require to achieve our goals.
4. We don’t see results fast enough. Results take time and consistent effort. It’s a marathon – not a sprint.
5. We have no concept of improvement. People fail to objectively monitor their progress. Small improvements become overshadowed by the fact that we haven’t met our goal yet.
6. We lack true conviction. The word “resolution” is defined as the act of resolving to do (or not do) something… the making of a firm decision, and undertaking this decision with determination. But I think we’ve come to place some mystical power in the word. We’re led to believe that “if we say it out loud, then it will come to pass” and this gives us false hope and removes the need for the determination which is engrained in the definition of the word. January 1st rolls around and “Oh, it’s resolution time again… hmm… what do I want to do this year?”
Unfortunately, changing a habit(s) takes effort – there’s no easy way to make it happen, no genie will pop out and grant us our wish, and ultimately the question arises, “how badly do you want it”? Unfortunately, far too often, not badly enough.
I was recently asked to write down 5 tips to help succeed in achieving your goals in the New Year… well, I didn't stop at 5 and I came up with what I feel are 7 valuable suggestions to help you set off on the right foot, beat the Vegas odds, and hopefully achieve what it is you’ve said you want to do.
My 7 tips for successful Resolutioning:
1. Start now.
2. Set goals and make a plan
3. Enjoy it
4. Think long-term
5. Don’t think perfect… think “better”
6. R&R
7. Get help
1. Start now.
2. Set goals and make a plan
3. Enjoy it
4. Think long-term
5. Don’t think perfect… think “better”
6. R&R
7. Get help
Over the next 7 days, I will discuss each one of these points in a little more depth, so stay tuned...
Please feel free to comment below, on my Facebook Page or on Twitter (#ResolutionRoadTrip).
Please feel free to comment below, on my Facebook Page or on Twitter (#ResolutionRoadTrip).
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