Is Your New Year's Resolution Just An Empty Promise?

By drodriguez Dec 28, 2009

We make them every year and according to a new study we break them every year as well. We are of course talking about the New Year’s resolution. Whether it be to start the new year afresh with a clean slate or just a slight tweak to your lifestyle, psychologists say we rarely keep our resolutions and when we break them we become more depressed in the process. So should we even try?

There may be a way to make them stick if we understand why people have failed at keeping them. An article from the Guardian talks about a study from the University of Hertfordshire that surveyed 700 people about their strategies of trying to keep their New Year’s resolutions. From losing weight to giving up bad relationships less than a quarter of the respondents were able to stick to their resolutions.

Of the 78 percent who failed, most of them had focused by fantasizing about success and relying on willpower alone. Psychologist Richard Wiseman , who led the study, told the Guardian, "If you are trying to lose weight, it’s not enough to stick a picture of a model on your fridge or fantasize about being slimmer."

So what is the secret to successfully keeping your New Year’s resolutions? The study reveals that people who kept their goals broke them into smaller steps and gave themselves rewards as they achieved each step. They also let their friends in on their resolutions and kept a diary documenting their progress. Making one resolution at a time led to the best results as well as regarding the occasional lapses as just temporary setbacks that you can work through. Wiseman says, "Many of the most successful techniques involve making a plan and helping yourself stick to it."

What do you think of the study revealing most people fail at keeping their resolutions?

Have you had success with sticking to your New Year’s goals in the past?

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Comments

by neiatze | Titusville, PA

Dec 30, 2009

Dec. 31 is not really New Years. i made one in my life time; i am very proud to say i am 41 going on 26, and i broke it two days later. i don't even know what the resolution was about because it was so long ago. New Years was celebrated first by the Babylonians in 2000 B.C.E on the Spring Equinox which is our now March 23 and they didn't even have a written calendar.

by celiahumphrey | UNION CITY, GA

Dec 29, 2009

I try not to set New Years Resolutions, I never seem to be able to follow thru on them for very long!

by MadHatter | Whitestone , NY

Dec 29, 2009

i am going to try my best to make one and stick with it. I get only motivated for a month or so, and then i don't keep up the routine! AUGH must work harder at the resolution!

by radar525 | McGuire AFB, NJ

Dec 29, 2009

I try to set resolutions that are not unattainable. Instead of "lose 15 pounds" I try for "make better eating choices and increase activity". It sounds corny, but it works for me. Working on gradual changes helps me hit and exceed my goals better. It also helps me make gradual changes to help the health of my family and get them into the "swing of things". This has helped me and my husband lose weight and eat much, much better over the last couple of years.

by Alyssarae92293 | BOYNTON BEACH, FL

Dec 29, 2009

I DONT EVER MAKE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT IF YOU MAKE A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION YOU WILL JINKS IT AND IT WONT EVER HAPPEN.

by mom2twins08 | Ellensburg, WA

Dec 29, 2009

Great article. Most of my New Years resolutions tend too be so idealistic and almost impossible. When I don't reach them I feel so down and beat myself up over it. I've been trying to set smaller goals for myself--but not just on New Years--whenever I think of something I want to change or achieve I try to start right away -- or at least write it down! :)

by rktilson | Sand Springs, OK

Dec 29, 2009

The article is exactly right. It is one thing to visualize your goal but a whole other thing to actually accomplish it! You have to take steps in the right direction. Setting realistic goals is always the best way to go.

by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX

Dec 28, 2009

I agree with the article. I have succeeded. Works best when you really are ready to make a change for yourself. And you have a great accountability partner that you really trust.

by piscesgrly2 | GALT, CA

Dec 28, 2009

I do make resolutions, I usually succeed. My resolution each year is lose 30 pounds, not too big not too small. If I don't make it, then just brush it off and say hey at least I was able to do this..... BE POSITIVE.

by lmccart | Fair Grove, MO

Dec 28, 2009

I do not make New Year's resolutions. I try to make a daily resolution to be the person God wants me to be. Every day I mess up, so I resolve to do better the next time, or the next day.

by vl33311 | Cincinnati, OH

Dec 28, 2009

I never set goals. I just try to start the year making better decisions.

by msfriendly | MONROE, WI

Dec 28, 2009

It's easier to stick to things when you start small!

by macito | North Bend, OH

Dec 28, 2009

Yes I have stuck to mine in the past. I did exactly what this article says about breaking them up into segments and achieving one segment at a time. It definitely helps to stay focused and also makes you feel better when you reach each goal!!