Let's Fix This.....

New Year is the time when people rise up to this?concept of?self-efficacy?making resolutions to improve life outcomes.??This is an extremely healthy attitude, reflective of humans ongoing drive to perfection; beautifully expressed in Winston Churchill’s quote “to improve is to change; and to be perfect is to change often”

However, failure to keep up to this promise does the exact opposite, it breeds self-doubt and self-criticism to an extent even de-fortifies ones willpower. 92% of these resolutions, an estimated 550 million are destined to fail.?

Let’s explore the reason why with inbuilt responses on how to fix it.

1.????Resolutions vs Goals. Resolution is a promise to do (or not) a specific behaviour; a goal is a series of calculated steps to achieve desired outcome. Goals not resolutions are the key to success

2.????SMART principles: For any goal to success one needs to follow the SMART principles; ensure they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound. Most resolution usually are an intent and vague

3.????Contemplating Change vs Ready for Change: Being ready for attitudinal change is more important than wanting to change. According to transtheoretical model there are 5 stages of changing habits; Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action and Maintenance. Make sure you are in stage 3 (ready to commit) if you want to follow through on your resolution

4.????It is a marathon not a sprint: Most resolutions are scripted towards a transformational goals. Never happens. Break them down into smaller milestones and make it a life changing habit

5.?????If You Don’t Enjoy, You will Not Sustain: Discover a process that gives you joy. Resolution triggers dopamine, the “neuro-hormone” that controls rewards and pleasure centres. Joy leads to motivation, motivation triggers dopamine release and this is what keeps you going.?

6.?????Love Yourself. You will fail initially. Re-calibrate, Re-start: Life will throw many challenges. You may fail multiple times. Re-calibrate, Re-start. Don’t wait until the next new year.

Keeping up with your resolution is a state of mind. Don’t get into it until you are mentally prepared to commit. Jan 1st?is just a date on the calendar introduced by the Julius Ceaser in 46BC to honour Janus, a two faced god that symbolically looks back in the previous year and forward into the next. That’s what it’s meant to be. If you want to use this day for a resolution then we need to learn from the Babylonians that started this concept 4000 years ago.

1. Best Wishes and Happy 2023