Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail

How to be Successful With a Change that’s Important

This year I’ll:

• lose 20 pounds
• spend more time with my parents
• improve my communication skills
• not lose my temper
• be more patient
• lower my blood pressure
• exercise 3-5 times a week
• start yoga
• start a career I love
• stop smoking

Sound familiar? We all have our areas to improve, so why wait for a new year? What’s so magic about January 1st? Or is it 2nd? Because the 1st is a holiday, right? Another day to push off our so-important, life-changing goal?

Here’s why New Year’s Resolutions Fail:

1. Resolutions Make Things Feel Larger Than They Are

Stop smoking, lose weight, lower blood pressure – these aren’t New Year’s Resolutions. They’re huge life changes that take time. They require a daily effort, a new conscious choice that you consistently make.

Success comes from breaking these down into small steps. You can manage small steps much better than grandiose statements.

2. Resolutions Carry Guilt and Judgment

Big statements carry big guilt and self-judgment when we don’t hit our goals. How does that help? It doesn’t.

Guilt and judgment work as heavy weights that sabotage success. Cut those cords. Success in any change starts with a guilt-free, judgment-free attitude.

3. Resolutions are Statements Without Structure

It’s easy to create the lofty goal with the best of intentions. The hard part? Making it real.

Success starts with structure. Your statement begs for a plan. The choices you make each day affect change. Get a plan that supports choices that will help you reach your goal.

Success Grows a Choice at a Time

You get to decide the person you will be each day. If you don’t like the choices you made -an hour or a day ago- you get to make new choices the next time. Free yourself of the past. 10 minutes or 10 years ago, it’s still a weight.

Focus forward on where you’re headed. Make choices that take you there. You can go anywhere you choose.

Every choice is a new start – you don’t have to wait for each January 1st. If it’s truly important, what are you waiting for?