Why Most People Don't Fulfill Their Resolutions
Did you ever want to achieve something badly and then commit yourself to doing something about it, only to fall short, perhaps even spectacularly?
If you answered yes, I have some “good” news for you. You’re not alone. Hardly so.
The most common example of this “want-commit-fail” continuum is, of course, New Year’s resolutions. Common resolutions like exercising more, eating healthier, and saving money often top the list. While statistics on fulfilling New Year's resolutions vary, studies suggest that a significant portion of people struggle to stick to their resolutions long-term.
According to research conducted by the University of Scranton, only about 8% of people achieve their New Year's resolutions. This low success rate is often attributed to various factors such as unrealistic goals, lack of specific plans, and insufficient commitment.
Moreover, a study by YouGov, a global public opinion and data company, found that around 80% of people who make New Year's resolutions fail to keep them beyond the second week of February. This suggests that maintaining resolutions becomes increasingly challenging as time passes.
Whether it’s the New Year that’s fueling your desire for change or the “hard realities” of life (no savings, poor health, bad relationships, etc.), fulfilling resolutions can be challenging. There are several reasons why many people struggle to fulfill their resolutions:
Unrealistic goals: Setting overly ambitious or vague goals without a clear plan can set individuals up for failure. Unrealistic expectations make it harder to maintain motivation and stay committed.
Lack of specificity: Resolutions that lack specificity or measurable targets make it challenging to track progress and stay accountable.
Poor planning and strategy: Failing to create a detailed plan or strategy to achieve resolutions can lead to inconsistency and abandonment of goals.
Lack of accountability and support: Not involving others or having a support system to encourage and hold oneself accountable can make it easier to give up when facing challenges.
Setting too many resolutions: Attempting to tackle multiple resolutions simultaneously can overwhelm and spread one's focus too thin, making it harder to achieve any of them.
Lack of motivation and commitment: Initial enthusiasm often fades over time, leading to a loss of motivation and dedication to the resolutions.
Resisting change or habit formation: Breaking old habits and forming new ones takes time and consistent effort. Some people find it challenging to adapt to new behaviors.
Perfectionism and all-or-nothing mindset: Believing that any setback or deviation from the plan is a failure can lead to discouragement and abandoning the resolutions altogether.
External factors and unforeseen circumstances: Life events, stressors, or unexpected challenges can disrupt the pursuit of resolutions, leading to demotivation and abandonment.
Failure to reassess and adjust: Without periodic evaluation and adjustment of goals, individuals may continue with unrealistic or unattainable resolutions, leading to eventual abandonment.
The good news is that there are strategies to help individuals increase their chances of success. I’ll share them in my next post.