by Ashe Hope

Created on: December 30, 2008   Last Updated: February 14, 2011

There are many reasons why New Year's resolutions do not work.

Lack of intent:

Many New Year's resolutions don't work, because they are not made with the intention to work. A resolution is a determination to do something. If one makes up their mind to do and accomplish a task, they do not need a time set for them. They set their own time to do it.  For instance, if one wants to lose twenty pounds, they can start to work on that in mid-September. There is no need to wait out the holidays, and add more pounds , only to think of shedding them after three months!

So, why do most people make New Year resolutions if they have no intentions of keeping them up? Peer pressure comes to mind. One of the most dreaded cocktail questions during the season is " So, what is your New Year resolution?" Or, "Have you made any New Year resolutions?". It is easier to have some answer instead of no answer. So, many a time, it is something made up at the spur of the moment. Most probably forgotten even before leaving the venue of the party.  No wonder it does not even have a chance to work!   And, if someone reminds them later, they have a welcoming group of peers who have also failed to keep up their resolution !

Lack of planning:

Some people are a little more sincere in their New Year's resolutions. Maybe they genuinely wanted to wait the last two months of the holiday season, so they could satisfy all their cravings of food and then go on a diet. Trouble is, it sounds easier when it is two months away. Having made that resolution , is almost a green signal for them to binge, without the guilt. Unfortunately, they did not have a plan as to how exactly they would do that. What would be the side effects of that, and how they would deal with it . Working without a plan is like travelling in unknown territories without a map. It takes them in circles, without leading them anywhere. Pretty soon, they accept failure and give up.

Lack of effort :

This category of people are a step above . They have an action plan to execute their resolution.For instance, if they wanted to start exercising, they have already checked out the local gym, inquired about the cost and the timings. Maybe even got someone to get them a holiday gift toward it ! The first few weeks after the New Year goes well. They even see some results. But then, they become complacent. A day missed becomes a week missed and just keeps creeping up. They are disappointed that the results seen initially seem to disappear. This lack of effort and commitment soon leads to failure.

Setting unrealistic goals:

When unrealistic goals are set which are not attainable, it certainly ends in failure. If one's goal was to further their math education, then they need to start at the basic required course, not jump into higher algebra. In spite of working hard, if the bar was set unrealistically high, then the goal is not attainable. At that point , it is an easy excuse to say, "Oh, I tried , but I guess I wasn't cut out for it" and give up.

Setting up multiple goals:

This is a variation of unrealistic goals.  While it is OK to set up more than one goal, one does need to ensure that they compliment and coordinate one another. Otherwise, it is better to take them on one or two at a time, then work on others.

What ever your New Year resolution maybe, and if you had to wait for the clock to give you the permission to start your goals, follow the rules of the time tested goal-making . Make it a SMART goal; a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-framed. Sans that, it may as well be yet another New Year resolution that lasts only until the newness wears off.

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