The self-improvement book industry is one of the fastest-growing nonfiction genres in the global market. Our generation is the most self-conscious yet, and we set these goals for ourselves because we aspire to be better than we were yesterday.
Having had the privilege to read through “Atomic Habits” by James Clear and “Start With Why” by Simon Sinek (two books from that very genre), I have found success as a senior in standing. These books have given me some insight into how to set and follow through with my goals. With the season of change right around the corner, here are some tips on how to stay committed to your New Year’s resolutions!
Start with Why – Who do you want to become? Choose goals you believe in
The most important part of a goal is not what it is, but actually the intention you had to create it. For instance, someone who believes in leading a life of fitness might go to the gym every day and hit as many machines as they can. Meanwhile, someone who is going to the gym every day solely to get fit to impress someone will have a completely different mental framework while navigating their sets. Stop and think, if your goal is to lead a more active lifestyle for instance, “what would an active person do?”
Hence, make sure that your New Year’s resolutions align with your values and passions. If they don’t, you might lack motivation to see them through.
Form Healthy Habits — Exploit your human wiring!
Assuming that you now understand why you’re setting goals, let’s get into how you make these goals a reality. While a big part of why your goals are not being met might be because you don’t believe in the cause, another chunk is simply distractions. Use tricks to make your goals and tasks as clear-cut as possible.
Let’s talk about what these can look like.
Make it Obvious — Leave references to your goals around your environment!
Leaving something you don’t want to forget about right at your door and setting reminders when you know you’ll need them are both ways that we remember things. You can apply these same strategies to your goals. For instance, someone with a New Year’s resolution to eat healthy might move their fruit basket to the center of the dinner table where it is right in front of them. Don’t be afraid to rearrange the space where you work or live to set yourself up for success.
Make it Attractive — Structure your goals around things you already like to do!
One strategy written in “Atomic Habits” is temptation bundling — combining an attractive activity with a not so attractive (but good for you) activity. For instance, listen to your favorite podcast but only while you go for a run.
Adding a social aspect to your New Year’s resolution can also be a great way to fulfill it. An accountability partner as a support for you to accomplish your goal can be all that it takes.
Make it Easy — Make your goals easily accessible!
Picture yourself trying to go hiking without any water. Sure, you could do it, but you’d be worse off afterward. Making time for rest and breaking goals down into more achievable sub-goals will keep you on track to fulfill your New Year’s resolution.
The “two minute rule” is when you picture and perform the first two minutes of yourself achieving your New Year’s resolution. For instance, if your goal is to go jogging more often, walk to your door and start putting your shoes on. If it is to read more often, those first two minutes might be grabbing your book and finding a good place to sit. Making use of the two minute rule will also make it easier for you to get started on tasks — and once we start, we feel good.
Make it Rewarding — Give yourself a treat for your progress!
Find ways to reward yourself as you achieve your New Year’s resolutions and make sure you pick a reward that you will follow through with.
Hopefully this framework for starting with why and this insight into how you can exploit your brain to build successful habits has gotten you excited to give your New Year’s resolution a new shot. Do your best and enjoy 2024!