I was enjoying my first nap of the New Year! And I began to think about the resolutions I made. First, I set a goal of taking 1000 naps in 2025; no one can say I’m not ambitious! Second, I set a goal of making sure I eat 3 meals a day & snacks, which is very attainable. Third, I plan to walk the dogs every day that I can! The dogs volunteered to help me attain this goal! I’m considered a motivational speaker, as I talk to myself often to achieve my Goals! Setting 3 goals is quite manageable; in years past, I have set up to 12 goals, one a month, and it became overbearing, cumbersome, and difficult to remember which goal I was working on in which month. I began to think about how many people remember their New Year’s Resolutions; after all, some people make them after imbibing adult beverages, and how many people complete or keep working on their goals.
Here are the statistics (Pew Research Center): 3 in 10 Americans make resolutions. 62% feel pressured to make resolutions. 79% set goals to improve their health! RFK may help many to improve their health in 2025! 61$ plan to improve their finances. Those over 55 are less likely to set goals. Only 9% of Americans actually achieve their resolution goals!
One month into the New Year, 87% say they have kept at least some of their resolutions. Many people keep their favorite resolution by making a resolution, not to make any resolutions! Congratulations!
Why do resolutions fail? Many reasons can result in failure. We are too busy; whether we are busy due to work, recreation, family commitments, or social media, we just run out of time to keep our resolutions. To get out of a bad habit, many need to substitute a good habit to replace it. The new habit must be in place for at least 60-90 days to replace the bad habit. Another good practice is writing down your resolutions or goals and reviewing the daily list! As you develop your goals, make them attainable; even small changes may elicit significant changes! People also begin to feel bad if they are not achieving their goals and decide to modify or eliminate the goal!
Why do resolutions succeed? Write down your goals and review them every morning. Place sticky notes around your home, car, and workplace. They act as reminders to keep you focused. Develop a list of Wins! Every time you take action to achieve your goal, write it down to celebrate! You might even reward yourself; every 10 wins, reward yourself with something positive that will enhance your goal focus! Keep your focus positive and optimistic! If you take 3 steps forward and two steps backward, you are still moving forward; enjoy!
When you achieve any of your goals, share your experience to motivate yourself and others! It feels good to achieve goals and to share them with friends & family! You also do not need to wait until next New Year’s Eve to add another goal! Life is a progression of rewards & opportunities! Remember, the journey of life is the reward in itself!