The success rate of New Year’s resolution goals varies depending on the individual and the goal they set. Research suggests that around 80% of people fail to achieve their New Year’s resolutions by the second week of February.
One reason for this high failure rate is that people often set unrealistic goals or don’t have a clear plan for achieving them. For example, setting a goal to lose 50 pounds in a month or to exercise for two hours every day is likely not realistic for most people.
Another reason for the high failure rate is that people may lack motivation or discipline to stick to their goals. Changing habits and behaviors takes time and effort, and it can be challenging to maintain motivation over a long period of time.
However, there are several other things you can do to increase your chances of success:
- Set specific and realistic goals: Make sure your goals are clear, measurable, and achievable within a specific time frame. Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals can help people clarify what they want to achieve and create a plan for getting there. Breaking goals down into smaller, manageable steps and tracking progress can also help people stay motivated and focused.
- Write down your goals: Research has shown that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them. Writing your goals down also helps you clarify what you want to achieve and helps you stay focused.
- Create an action plan: Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps and create a plan for achieving them. Having a plan can help you stay motivated and focused.
- Get support: Tell your friends and family about your goals and ask for their support. You can also join a support group or hire a coach or mentor to help you stay on track.
- Track your progress: Regularly check in on your progress and adjust your action plan if necessary. Celebrate your successes along the way to stay motivated.
- Stay positive: Don’t give up if you experience setbacks or obstacles. Stay positive and keep working towards your goals. Remember that setbacks are a natural part of the journey towards success.
- Finally, be kind to yourself: Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t achieve your goals as quickly as you’d like. Be patient and stay focused on your ultimate goal, and remember that progress is still progress, no matter how small.
Overall, while the success rate of New Year’s resolutions may be low, setting goals and working towards self-improvement can still be a worthwhile endeavor. It’s important to approach goal-setting with a realistic mindset and to be kind to yourself if you experience setbacks along the way.