Statistically, studies show that less than 25% of people stay committed to a goal after 30 days. And, only 8% of people accomplish what they set out to do.
With a new year coming around the bend, this is the natural time to reflect on what you want to change, improve, leave behind or take on. But how do you make 2020 the year that really counts… the year where you commit 110% to the changes you want to make?
Below are 5 of the most common reasons why New Year’s resolutions fail and what you can do to bypass those pitfalls and lock in 2020 as a win.
1) You treat your goal like a sprint, not a marathon.
If it were quick and easy, everybody would do it. We’ve all heard the saying, “Slow and steady wins the race,” but as human beings, we’re programmed to think, “I want it ALL, and I want it NOW!”
So, to improve your chances for meaningful change, you have to recircuit your pre-wired messages and develop a slow-and-steady mental attitude.
2) You do too much thinking and not enough doing.
All the self-help reading and the best-laid plans are doomed to wither if the rocket fails to launch. Yes, it’s important to seek knowledge and inspiration, but only as much as you can realistically apply to your life. Planning is great, but ACTION is a necessity.
3) It’s not fun, and the reward is so far away.
Like it or not, meaningful change is hard work.
Who loves to NOT eat what they want? Who loves to exercise rather than do all the fun things they enjoy? Who wants to roll out of their warm, cozy bed an hour earlier in the morning to accomplish something meaningful?
Just about no one.
So more forethought and planning is needed if you’re ever going to increase your chance of success and change. Think: How can I reward myself and make this process fun?
4) You have zero support and accountability.
As a human, you yearn for support, companionship and understanding. While you often think about what you need to do differently in your life, more often than not, you do all of the mental and physical work alone.
You’re probably scared to announce your intention for change because, from experience, you know you’re setting yourself up for embarrassment if (when) you fail.
Successful change is MUCH more likely when you have a friend, partner or peer group to share the experience with… not to mention to be accountable to.
5) You know WHAT you want but not WHY you want it.
Lack of clarity is often the biggest reason why your intention to change fails.
Yes, of course, you want to improve your life in some way… lose weight, get more fit, earn a promotion, find friends or companions, take life more slowly and smell the roses, recapture the loving feelings you once had… there are so many things you want.
But why? You have a real shot at making a long-lasting change when you discover the answer to this question.
How will desired growth and improvement change your life for the better? The answer is incredibly important. It serves as the background motivator during your marathon run for true change.
These are just some of the major roadblocks that may be standing between you and your New Year’s resolutions. The reality is, change is always occurring, but you’re usually a passive participant in the process. As a result, changes are happening TO you, and you’re not being the active architect of your life.
If you’re interested and ready to become an active change agent in your life, check out A Year to Change Your Life. It’s an exciting, science-based program designed to break through the walls of the current circumstances holding you back from the life you’ve always wanted to live.
Based on years of experience as therapists, yoga teacher trainers, Certified Mindfulness Meditation Trainers and life coaches, Dr. David and Augusta Kantra created this immersive journey specifically for you to turn your passions and desires into reality.