The Question is – Will You Stick To It???
The New Year signifies a fresh starting point.
Many of us use the New Year as a marker for starting over or kicking off a campaign to achieve greatness or maybe just to be a litter better over the upcoming year.
In fact, it’s estimated that about 45% of adults make a New Year Resolution or Goal.
There have been numerous studies over the years looking at New Year Resolution retention and the numbers….well….it is not promising.
Research has shown that after the first week of the New Year 25% of resolutions have failed.
And it gets worse. As time flows by only a few have the wherewithal to keep the plan in place.
Who keeps going?
Have a look:
- Past Two weeks 71% are still going
- After one month it drops to 64%
- After 6 Months only 46% are able to stay the course
The data is interesting and it paints an intriguing picture:
- Only 8% of people are always successful in achieving their resolutions.
- 19% achieve their resolutions every other year.
- 49% have infrequent success.
- 24% (one in four people) NEVER succeed and have failed on every resolution every year. That means that 3 out of 4 people almost never succeed.
And as interesting, what are people hoping to accomplish as the New Year Kicks off?
- 34% set resolutions related to money
- 38% set resolutions related to weight
- 47% set resolutions related to self-improvement or education
- 31% set resolutions related to relationships
(These add to more than 100% because some people set multiple resolutions)
Some other interesting New Year resolution Data from various studies:
- It appears that the younger you are, the more likely you are to achieve your resolutions
- 39% of those in their twenties achieve their resolutions every year or every other year
- Less than 15% of those over 50 achieve their resolutions every year or every other year
- The less happy you are, the more likely you are to set New Year’s Resolutions. This is especially true for those who set money-related resolutions: 41% are not happy, 34% are moderately happy, and 25% are happy.
SO the question is, can you beat the odds??
Heck yes you can beat the odds!
Resolution Stick to it Tips:
The key is to make your resolution or goal realistic, tangible, and doable. Don’t get me wrong along with the commitment comes adjustments and this may mean stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing somethings differently but that’s what it’s all about. Making change. And change doesn’t just happen….without change. The key is to manage your change.
In one study researchers found that men are 22% more successful in sticking to their New Year goals when they were able to measure their success. This was done by using a system of setting smaller incremental goals. Women were 10% more likely to succeed if they went public with their goal and got support from family and friends.
Here’s the punch line from the research:
It was found that there is no correlation between happiness and resolution setting or success. People who achieve their resolutions every year are NO happier than those who do not set resolutions or who are unsuccessful in achieving them.
So regardless of your “stick–to-it-ness” or your commitment levels setting goals is never a bad idea.
For this New Year, challenge yourself to a Resolution whatever it may be, see if you can stick with it. Keep in mind that for anyone who has gone on to achieve Top Performance quitting was simply not and option!
Happy New Year
Jeff
