Why should we make New year resolutions and its benefit? (part2)

In our previous blog we learned about the reasons for making resolutions. Now we know its importance and can lay the way. But in some cases despite our will we failed in it. In this blog we want to discuss the reasons for failing in resolution and the solution for this problem.

Pick the Right Resolution

You will give yourself your best shot at success if you set a goal that is doable – also meaningful. According to the time management firm FranklinCovey, one third of resolutioners don’t make it past the end of January.

We have searched and surveyed our society to find out what makes you fail at your resolutions and the Top 3 results are mentioned below:

1. It’s a resolution created based on what society is expecting you to write.
2. It’s too Vague.
3. You haven’t made a realistic plan to achieve it.

Your goals should be smart – and SMART. (That’s an acronym coined by the journal management Review in 1981 for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. It works for management and for setting you resolutions, too)

Specific

Your Resolutions should be crystal clear. Setting a specific goal is really important rather than just mentioning I want to lose weight or I just want to be more active.
– How much weight do you want to lose?
– What do you mean by being more active? How many hours per week would suffice?
Set a time and a deadline.

Measurable

If your goal or your resolution is measurable, it helps you track behaviors that can reinforce the progress, no matter what your resolution may be.
I am sure all of you have heard of KPI*You can take notes from KPIs definition and how to implement your findings into your resolution.

*A Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives. Organizations use KPIs to evaluate their success at reaching targets.

Achievable

This does not in any way imply that you can’t have big stretch goals. But trying to take too big a step can leave you frustrated, disappointed or affect other areas of your life.
There is a saying in Farsi which translates into “ A big stone shows you cannot throw” which literally means Great promise, small performance.
I.e. Saving money to retire in 5 years when you’re 30 is probably not realistic, but saving a portion of your income each month to have X amount of money in 5 years is totally achievable and realistic.

Relevant

Dr. Michael Bennt, a psychiatrist and co-author of a self help book says: “If you do it out of the sense of self-hate or remorse or a strong passion in that moment, it doesn’t usually last long, But if you build up a process where you’re thinking harder about what’s good for you, you’re changing the structure of your life, you’re bringing people into your life who will reinforce that resolution, then I think you have a fighting chance.”
And I guess the above paragraph says it all.

Time-bound

Set smaller intermediate goals along the way and give yourself enough time so you can make successful but gradual progress. Charles Duhigg, author of “The power of Habit” says: “Focus on these small wins so you can make gradual progress, If you’re building a habit, you’re planning for the next decade, not the next couple of months.”

Some Tips from TEDxTehran Team on how to consider writing down your resolutions and to keep your moral up for keeping up with them:

1.Make it Personal
2. Leap over Hurdles and Bumps
3. Positive thinking isn’t going to be enough, Be positive but realistic
4. Be a Responsible Optimist
5. Find a community (With so many social medias available, I don’t think that is going to be hard)
6. Stand and Foresee to lose something (Money)
7. Find likemind support group
8. You did not fail, You do not Fail. You are your own experiment!
9. Feel free to start fresh
10. Be kind to yourself

Finding your purpose, changing your focus, setting the right goals, making a public commitment, and engaging with likeminded people can help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions.

You can watch 4 talks that motivate you, helping you keep your New Year’s Resolution:

1. Emily Balcetis: Why Some People Find Exercise Harder Than Others

2. David Steindl-Rast: Want to Be Happy? Be Grateful.

3. Carol Dweck: The Power of Believing That You Can Improve

4. Angela Lee Duckworth: The Key to Success? Grit.

Written By: Asal Ghamari

Edited And Published By: Sepideh Lashkari, Mina Haselian