Congratulations to the University of Denver community members! We have entered an exciting new year. I’m sure we are all ecstatic to see what this year will bring us, and I’m certain of the fact we won’t let our past year’s issues repeat themselves, right? In fact, I’m sure most of you have already promised so by creating your list of new year’s resolutions.
Coming into a new year almost always guarantees plenty of themes for new beginnings across the board. Whether your resolutions are written down neatly on a piece of paper, treasured within your notes app on your phone or just ideas you have in your head, your resolutions are important to you. So, why is it so hard to keep them? And where does this silly practice even come from?
New year’s resolutions are a tradition that has been practiced and adapted for thousands of years. The first instances can be traced back 4,000 some years ago to the ancient Babylonians. Resolutions for the new year were also known to be practiced by ancient Romans and early Christians alike.
It is a fact that new year’s resolutions are historically rooted in religion. However, the tradition has become more secular nowadays. Instead of making promises to gods to have a better moral set for the upcoming year, we vow to drink more water, hit the gym, be more mindful, quit smoking, spend more time with loved ones, etc.
Though studies have shown that 45% of Americans admit to making new year’s resolutions, only 8% of them end up seeing success. With so many people wishing to set a new standard for themselves, it is shocking that there are so few actually maintaining their resolutions.
With this in mind, we must be aware that research shows a valid reason behind this. Many of us may be familiar with the saying, “it takes 21 days to form a new habit,” but this actually couldn’t be further from the truth. Habits can take over two months on average to form—66 days on average, precisely.
So, if you want to form a new habit (or break an old one), you have to set realistic expectations, and this includes new year’s resolutions. Be prepared to spend anywhere between a couple of weeks to eight months to effectively establish a new pattern for yourself.
This is not to say that keeping new year’s resolutions is a lost cause. Many find that creating goals for a new year changes the track of their life for the better. Even if these goals are not met, one study proved that people who set new year’s resolutions are ten times more likely to change their behavior.
The biggest thing to be conscious of when making a resolution is to create an attainable goal. Don’t set yourself up for failure by creating unrealistic expectations. In the end, this will only lead to disappointment for all parties involved. Don’t try to grab something that is beyond your reach.
Be specific about what you want to attain for yourself. Not only is it beneficial to set realistic goals, but it is also best to set goals that are precise. For example, instead of setting a goal like, “I want to hang out with friends more,” tell yourself, “I want to hang out with friends once a week.” This way, it is much easier to hold yourself accountable. You are able to check in with yourself to keep progress on your goals.
Build your way up to the ultimate goal. Start your goals with baby steps. It is impossible to do anything in full-fledged force from 0-100; that is how you burn yourself out. Instead, set minor goals for yourself monthly, weekly, and even daily that help to build towards your major goal. One example may be graduating with honors. If this is your goal, first, you must do well in your classes, practice good study habits, attend class, etc. Prepare yourself well in the minuscule ways that’ll lead to the big picture.
This brings me to my next point: Be timely. Give yourself a deadline for your goals, though this deadline can and should be flexible. Don’t be too hard on yourself and discourage yourself if you notice you are back-tracking. No progress is linear. Set reasonable dates you’d like to achieve your goals by, and have faith in yourself.
Lastly, give yourself a support system. Establish a person, or even multiple people, in your life who can serve as an accountability partner. By doing this, you are giving yourself a community of people who want to see you succeed just as badly as you do. Best of luck to all of you, and all of your endeavors! Wishing you the best for your 2023 year, and your new year’s resolutions.
