Did you know that the tradition of the New Year’s Resolution goes all the way back to 153 B.C? Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar. With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.
At some point in life, we all make a New Year’s resolution. According to GoalsGuy, the Top Ten most common New Year’s resolutions are:
- Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape
- Stick to a Budget
- Debt Reduction
- Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends
- Find My Soul Mate
- Quit Smoking
- Find a Better Job
- Learn Something New
- Volunteer and Help Others
- Get Organized
Recent research shows that 52% of participants in a study about resolutions were confident of success with their goals, but only 12% actually achieved their goals. A separate study by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol showed that 78% of those who set New Year resolutions fail.
But all hope is not lost! You can achieve your goals with determination and tenacity. Studies have shown that men achieve their goal more often when they engage in goal setting, while women succeed more when they make their goals public and receive support from their friends.
Did you set any New Year’s Resolutions this year? With January almost over, are you holding yourself to them or have you given up? It’s not too late to get off the couch, join the gym, get organized, quit smoking, volunteer, or whatever else you decided on for a resolution.
Here a few tips courtesy of myGoals.com to see that your resolution(s) are successful:
1. Create a Plan
Setting a goal without formulating a plan is merely wishful thinking. In order for your resolution to have resolve, (as the word “resolution” implies), it must translate into clear steps that can be put into action. A good plan will tell you A) What to do next and B) What are all of the steps required to complete the goal.
2. Create Your Plan IMMEDIATELY
If you’re like most people, then you’ll have a limited window of opportunity during the first few days of January to harness your motivation. After that, most people forget their resolutions completely.
3. Write Down Your Resolution and Plan
Commit your resolution and plan to writing someplace, such as a notebook or journal.
4. Think “Year Round,” Not Just New Year’s
Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with a hundred tiny steps that happen throughout the year. New Year’s resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan. myGoals.com helps you stick to your plan by providing email reminders that arrive when it’s time to work on a given task.
5. Remain Flexible
Expect that your plan can and will change. Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected things at us, and flexibility is required to complete anything but the simplest goal. Sometimes the goal itself will even change. Most of all, recognize partial successes at every step along the way. Just as a resolution isn’t accomplished the day it’s stated, neither is it accomplished the day you reach your goal. Rather, it’s accomplished in many small increments along the way. Acknowledge these incremental successes as they come.
To quote Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith from the A-Team, “I love it when a plan comes together!” Good luck!