Happy New Year! It’s once again time to make a list of your New Year’s resolutions. Don’t you feel so productive as you write down all the healthy goals you will finally achieve this year?
Well, don’t get your hopes up. The annual tradition of resolutions is practically useless: only 9-12% of people actually keep their resolutions. The culprit of this common failure? Experts cite our impatience; one must boast extreme perseverance to achieve a resolution when success seems so intangible.
If you’re looking for a more productive way to reach pushed-off goals, try taking baby steps! Define reasonable,unextreme “steps” toward your final goal and reward yourself after completing each one.
For example, if you want to get more in shape, try this:
- Start by going to the gym once a week for a month.
- Then, transition to two or three times per week for another month, and rotate between weightlifting and cardio.
- Finally, begin going three to five times a week, and focus on increasing the difficulties of your exercises. Now, you have developed a habitual routine!
Ditch your resolutions this year, and instead map out your plan for successful and lasting habits in the areas most important to you.