The dawn of the New Year often inspires a time for personal reinvention, with many setting out New Year resolutions with the best of intentions.
However, despite the initial enthusiasm, a staggering number of these commitments tend to crumble before January is out. It’s a familiar tale of good intentions falling by the wayside, and research backs this up.
Viral theories have recently suggested that most people abandon their New Year pledges around 17 to 18 days into January – a sentiment echoed by a study from 2022.
Whether it’s aspirations to get in shape, shed some pounds or adopt new lifestyle habits, it seems the will power of many starts to wane within weeks. Moreover, a study by the British Journal of Health Care Management indicated that the downfall of many resolutions lies in their lack of clarity and precision.
To buck the trend of failed resolutions, experts recommend adopting the SMART criteria – making them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound.
For instance, rather than vaguely resolving to “get fitter”, you should specify the type of exercise, frequency and duration. Similarly, if the goal is to “eat more healthily”, it’s crucial to detail the dietary changes and set a timeline for achieving them.
For instance, you might consider going meat-free for a week, or cutting down on sugar by avoiding biscuits and sweet treats. However, it’s crucial to keep your goals achievable.
It’s not uncommon for people to indulge over the festive period and then aim for healthier habits in the new year. After the Christmas celebrations are over, many of us aspire to exercise more and be more disciplined.
But remember, it’s important to set realistic targets. Aim to alter one habit at a time rather than trying to change everything all at once.
If you try to implement too many changes simultaneously, you could end up reverting to old habits, and this could totally hinder your progress.
A TikTok video has outlined this method. User @theladdermethod explained that writing down your S.M.A.R.T “can help you outline a detailed plan.”
Having your plan written down not only helps you to visualise it, but it can also help you to stick to your goal by making it seem more real and help you remember it better.
