New Years Resolution Or Dis-illusion?
So … Ok, I admit it…this isn’t exactly the most uplifting title for what is supposed to be a positive subject. But the reality is that too many people are talking about making commitments they can’t or won’t achieve.
Make no mistake, I am all for change and positive thinking. But when people I care about starting making big pronouncements about change they are going to bring about in 2011; it kinda makes me sad.
The psychology of a new year’s resolution in and of itself is a little broken in my humble opinion. Here’s why: It’s usually that the change we need as humans has to come from some kind of emotional affect that causes us to feel really good about something, or really bad.
Studies have shown repeatedly that we need to “feel” the end result and then keep feeling it to stay the course. This PLUS having a plan that you can work every day, is proven to be really helpful. In addition, it’s that emotional output that starts the whole process in the first place. And that’s EXACTLY why most resolutions fail. Because they are usually nothin’ more than a philosophical pronouncement…which just won’t do.
Dr.s’ Miller and Marlatt wrote a great study in 1998 called “How to Keep Up with Those New Year’s Resolutions: Researchers Find Commitment Is the Secret of Success” and found these are the 3 most common resolutions people make:
- 37% – Starting to exercise
- 13% – Eating better
- 7% – Reducing the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and other drugs, or quitting smoking
Any of these sound familiar?
And what about for business people? Why do all the resolutions have to be personal. I think that in the absence of any corporate direction businesses should have at least some re-affirmation of their direction. If your business doesn’t have any, I found this great list of business resolutions to consider, compliments of Enterpreneur Magazine.
Do I have any resolutions this year? Nope. I have some new goals however. In keeping with the three above, I thought I’d frame a few of them accordingly:
- Figure out how to exercise more productively and get MORE out of less time. (Martin Berkhan‘s blog has got my attention on this point recently)
- Eat MORE food that is just better. I like eating and I like good food. Some more red wine is included here too.
- I don’t plan to drink less caffeine, or less alcohol. My doc tells me that I’m healthy and both are fine in moderation. I enjoy them both.
Anyway, I was inspired to pen this quick post because my belief about resolutions is that if you can’t make change happen in your life that isn’t sustainable as a long term lifestyle choice, it’s never gonna’ last. You have to be able to live with it day in and day out.
What do you think?
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