Resolutions, resolutions

It’s just past mid January so the perfect time to check in and ask how your New Year’s resolutions are going…

We love making them don’t we?  New Year's resolutions are a time-honoured tradition for many people, as the start of a new year often brings with it a sense of renewal and a desire to make positive changes in our lives. This is the fresh, blank page, that we can’t wait to etch out our future selves onto.

However, despite our best intentions, many of us struggle to stick to our resolutions for more than a few weeks or months.

Statistics on the success rate of New Year's resolutions vary depending on the source and the specific resolution being studied. However, research generally suggests that a large percentage of people who make New Year's resolutions fail to follow through with them.

One study by the University of Scranton found that only 8% of people who make New Year's resolutions are successful in achieving them. 

Another study by the Statistic Brain Research Institute found that just over 50% of people who make New Year's resolutions will keep them for at least one week, while only 8% will keep them for the full year.

A survey by the American Psychological Association found that the most common resolutions are related to weight loss, exercise, and self-care, but these are also the resolutions that people have the most difficulty sticking to.

So, how are they going?

We have three ways which may help you to keep those resolutions going.

Before we share those, in order to be resolute about our resolutions, let’s try to understand the science behind them. 

The subconscious mind plays a significant role in the formation and execution of New Year's resolutions. The subconscious mind is responsible for regulating our automatic behaviors, habits, and emotions. This includes the thoughts and behaviors that we often don't even realize we are engaging in.

When we set a New Year's resolution, our conscious mind is actively making a decision to change something in our lives. However, it is the subconscious mind that ultimately determines whether or not we will be able to follow through with that resolution. This is because our subconscious mind often holds the beliefs, habits, and patterns that are driving our behavior. These patterns can be hard to change, as they are deeply ingrained and often operate below the level of our conscious awareness. The subconscious mind is our comfort zone and operates to keep us ‘safe’ despite often incorrectly perceiving what is dangerous for us.

For example, if someone wants to quit smoking and they set that as their New Year's resolution, their conscious mind may be fully committed to quitting. But if their subconscious mind holds the belief that smoking is a way to cope with stress or that they can't imagine their daily routine without a cigarette, it will be very hard for them to quit.

In order to effectively change behavior and follow through with New Year's resolutions, it's important to address the underlying beliefs, habits, and patterns that are held in the subconscious mind. One effective way to do this is through techniques such as visualization, affirmations, and gratitude practice. These techniques can help to reprogram the subconscious mind and align it with the conscious goals and desires.

With this in mind, here are three ways to make 2023 the year where you finally make the changes that you want.

Tip 1:

Studies have shown that people who regularly practice gratitude tend to be more satisfied with their lives, have better physical and mental health, and are more likely to achieve their goals.

One reason why gratitude may be so effective is that it helps shift our focus from what we lack to what we have - an abundance mindset.  When we focus on the things we are grateful for, it can make us feel more positive and motivated to take action towards our goals - our subconscious mind feels like we are starting from a stronger, safer place from which it offers less resistance against our conscious minds trying to push the boundaries. 

Another reason why gratitude can be so helpful for achieving New Year's resolutions is that it can help to build resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and to keep going even when things get tough. When we practice gratitude, we are reminded of the things in our lives that give us strength and support. This can help us to develop a more resilient mindset and to stay motivated and focused on our goals, even when we encounter setbacks or obstacles.

Tip 2:

Setting clear, specific, and measurable goals is crucial to achieving New Year's resolutions success. However, research has shown that simply setting a goal is not enough. It is also important to have a plan in place to achieve that goal, and to be able to track progress along the way.

Tip 3:

Be accountable.  People who share their resolution with others tend to be more successful in achieving them, again this is backed by research. Don’t be shy to let your accountability circle know that you want to read two books a month, spend more time tending to your garden, or want to see a personal trainer regularly to work on your upper body strength. Heck, tell the whole world if you like. 

In conclusion, New Year's resolutions can be a powerful tool for making positive changes in our lives, but they can also be difficult to stick to. To boost your chances of the mid January and beyond report being more successful, don’t forget to set clear, specific, and measurable goals. Share your resolutions and progress with others.  And finally, gratitude practice can help increase the chances of success by shifting our focus to what we have, developing a more positive mindset and building resilience. So this new year, take the time to reflect on the things you are grateful for and let it help guide you to achieve your goals.