A few days ago, I stared into my room, which was already a disorganized mess. Having set a resolution to keep my room clean and tidy only a few weeks before, I figured I would be able to stick with it for at least a few months, but I had already failed. I found myself fatigued and almost burdened by the idea of a goal lasting an entire year. I always seem to tell myself that I’ll get my life together, yet here I am, setting the same goal year after year.
While it is inspiring to see so many people excited to start a new chapter in their lives, I realized how little change comes with the flip of a calendar page. While people may feel invigorated and excited for the new year, their resolutions often become unfulfilled endeavors within a matter of days. Still, people continue to set these goals, and it has become a widespread tradition. 80% of resolutions fail by February, according to U.S. News & World Report, and most fitness resolutions dissolve by Jan. 17, according to USA Today.
Knowing that so few goals are really met, why give the illusion of trying to make a change? What’s especially sad is others’ disappointment when their friends wait for the next year to set a new goal. Additionally, adding more onto their plate might make the goal less of a priority, making it less likely to be achieved.
“We should focus on reachable goals that aren’t overwhelming”
Setting unrealistic goals is also a common problem. People think, “I have a whole year to do this,” which would sound logical if people really did work on their goals for the entirety of the year. However, this just isn’t the case; “I’ll do it tomorrow, I’m tired today” and “I have time” are common excuses for the majority of people who choose to procrastinate.
This display of wishful thinking is a trend that can be spotted all throughout the year—What makes Jan. 1 any different than, say, March 19? Resolutions and self improvement shouldn’t be stifled to an arbitrary date; goals can be set and completed at any point in the year.. However, the way people are going about achieving this, through New Year’s resolutions, isn’t the best way to do it.
Instead of entertaining a far and distant idea, we should focus on reachable goals that aren’t overwhelming, such as starting small by going to the gym once a week. Daunting goals can prevent us from getting a reasonable start as the task seems too big to tackle. According to Business Insider, having a vague goal without clear steps to take or ways to measure progress is a major reason that resolutions aren’t achieved. Along with more reachable goals, monthly check-ins would help assess how much progress is being made. Moving step by step makes far more sense than trying to jump all the way to the top.
The idea of a huge New Year’s resolution is inherently flawed in terms of timely execution; hopelessly attempting a drastic feat is a waste of time and ultimately gets people’s hopes up. If anyone really wants to achieve something big by the end of the year, it would be wise to set smaller goals to work on in increments. This tried and true method almost always gets me to where I need to be, so long as I remember what I’m working towards. Without realistic measures, you’re better off continuing about your days, because Jan. 1 is really just another day.
