The year 2014 began with a high. Everybody is making resolutions. Resolutions to finally go back to school. Resolutions to loose or add weight. Resolutions to look for a new job. Resolutions to save more money. Maybe as a single person your resolution has been to date or get married.
Resolutions are very easy to make but very hard to keep. We start (most of us) with the resolution to keep our promises to ourselves. This should be the year of transformation. But 13 days down the line many of us are finding it hard to keep our resolution.
According to Kelly McGonigal here is why
People come up with resolutions that don’t reflect what matters most to them, and that makes them almost guaranteed to fail. Even if that behavior could be very valuable and helpful — like exercise — if you start from the point of view of thinking about what it is you don’t really want to do, it’s very hard to tap into willpower. If there’s no really important “want” driving it, the brain system of self-control has nothing to hold on to.
How can you change that?
A very practical way is to ask: At the end of 2014 — on January 1st, 2015, looking backwards — what are you seriously going to be grateful that you did? Is there a change you know that you’re going to be glad you made? What would that feel like? That can tap into something that feels really authentic.
So what can you do?
Don’t do things alone, outsource or crowdsource your willpower. Ask your friends or family to keep you on track.
Reward/bribe yourself when you reach a milestone. Maybe you wanted to lose 10 kgs this year. When you lose 3-4 kgs reward yourself by buying yourself a new dress.
Also you are the one who sets your goals. Go at your own speed. Allow yourself to take small steps rather then follow the crowd goal.
This article The science of willpower: Kelly McGonigal on why it’s so dang hard to stick to a resolution was a really great read. I encourage you to read it and take note of the things Kelly McGonigal talks about. I know you can achieve your resolutions, its just a matter of changing how you think.
