Resolution: The firm decision to do or not do something (Oxford Dictionary). So, why do I think losers make new year’s resolutions?
eFirst, I’m speaking only of New Year Resolutions. And my thinking is simple. If we were winner’s, we wouldn’t need to make resolutions. Now I say this with tongue fully implanted in cheek. However, I still think it has some merit.
Think about it.
We make new year’s resolutions because we believe we’re failing in one area or another.
- We look at our expanding waistline and think – “Geese, I need to shed this excess fat I’m dragging around.”
- We’re unhappy with our income and think – “If I only had more money, or saved more money, or spent less money. I’d be better off.
- We huff and puff up a flight of stairs and think – “Come on, How’d I ever let it get to this?
Then, during the heyday of holiday celebrations, we decide a new year’s resolution will do the trick.
Resolutions set us up for failure
According to a 2015 US News article, 80% of New Year’s Resolutions fail within the first 5 weeks. In 2018, Time Magazine stated, “research has shown that about 30% of resolution-makers give up on their goal before they even reach the two-week mark.” According to psychology today, “The University of Scranton followed 200 people who made New Year’s resolutions… Only 19 percent deemed themselves successful in reaching their goal.”
Why such pathetic odds?
1. It’s tough staying true to a resolution that relies on delayed gratification.
This means that receiving immediate rewards (compared to having to wait for results) is more conducive to fulfilling a goal. This was shown in a study from Cornell and the Universities of Chicago and Cornell called: “Immediate Rewards Predict Adherence to Long-Term Goals,” …immediate rewards (e.g., enjoyment) predicted current persistence at New Year’s resolutions whereas delayed rewards did not (Study 1). Furthermore, immediate rewards predicted persistence in a single session of studying and exercising whereas delayed rewards did not… (Studies 2 and 3). This is true for both short (1 week) and long (3
2. It’s a numbers game
If you set a resolution and fail, you fail 100%. And it’s hard to rebound when the year starts off with a 100% failure rate. So, don’t Make a New Year Resolution. Make 10 or 20 or 30. Why not start off with a bunch of resolutions to increase your chance of success!
1 new year resolution = 1 chance of success. 10 new year resolutions = 10 chances at success.
Chris Rither
Year End is Arbitrary
If we haven’t lost weight, saved money or gotten into shape over the past year, what makes us think we’ll do it this year? It takes discipline, determination and lots and lots and lots of hard work to accomplish anything of substance.
If our resolutions were simple and short-sighted, then we’d all be raving success maniacs. If we set a new year resolution like – go to gym Jan 3rd, or no coffee tomorrow, or stop buying lotto tickets Jan 7-14, then life would be grand.
However, just coming up with a generic resolution because it’s a new year doesn’t make the resolution any easier. We might as well start on our birthday, or anniversary or some other day.
Too short a time span
I know some of you might be saying: But we have an entire year, it should be long enough!
For many things, a year is a long time. However, The problem is most resolutions revolve around habits that took years (or even lifetimes) to build. This means one year may not be enough to transform our life the way we want.
According to the American Psychological Association, “Lose weight, quit smoking and exercise regularly – these are America’s top three New Year’s resolutions, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the goals adults undertake Jan. 1.” Other popular resolutions include: managing debt, saving money, getting a better job/education, reducing stress, traveling or volunteering.
Notice these are quite formidable. Especially when they revolve around lifestyles difficult to change in such a short time. Yes, we might be able to lose weight or save money quickly, but keeping it going for years to come isn’t so easy.
Losers Make New Year’s Resolutions: Conclusion
If we are to make resolutions, we might want to look more realistically at the amount of time it will take. I’m definitely a fan of more simple and targeted resolutions that together can accomplish a greater goal.
Instead of making resolutions during the new year, why not just set a bunch of goals you would like to reach. This has helped many successful people. Here’s a list of useful ideas from OneMeanDream: