Lists are being prepared, and targets are being set. Because the new year means hope. We have prepared a guide to help us easily fulfill our New Year's resolutions. We hope that everything you want to achieve in 2024 will bring you pride and happiness.
The New Year often symbolizes hope for most of us. It represents a fresh start, a clean slate... It's an opportunity to do better than what the past year brought, no matter the circumstances. New resolutions and intentions often accompany this desire for improvement. While some of us might think these resolutions are ineffective, others believe that setting intentions is beneficial and positively impacts our well-being. However, these self-chosen resolutions can sometimes become burdens, making us feel guilty without reason. Dr. Seray Akça highlights critical points that can facilitate the implementation of these decisions: "If a person can observe their progress, they are more likely to remain committed to their decision."
‘Choose Achievable Goals, Break Down Big Decisions into Smaller Steps, Observe Your Progress’
Dr Seray Akça, Yeditepe University, Department of Psychology
When making New Year's resolutions, people often aim to achieve important personal goals for themselves. Therefore, they might set goals that motivate them, such as 'better... more... further...' Despite these significant goals and their enthusiasm to implement them, people often need help to stay committed to these resolutions over time. It can be challenging to maintain and fulfill big decisions throughout the year. There are several key points to consider for successfully implementing these decisions.
It's essential to clarify and specify significant decisions. For example, paying attention to your health can be a broad goal. Making it more specific, such as committing to a 40-minute daily walk or eating a certain amount of fruits and vegetables daily, can help you achieve your objective more effectively. It is crucial to connect small and large decisions. It has been observed that those who fail to implement their resolutions often have conflicting goals.
The actions taken towards these decisions and the observable progress are also important. If people can observe their development, they will likely try harder to remain committed to their decisions.
The most critical aspect is an individual's determination to execute their goals and plans. This determination enables them to continue progressing despite obstacles and distractions. However, the energy available for self-control is limited. The self-control mechanism, already heavily used for daily responsibilities, may need to be stronger in maintaining personal goal commitments. Therefore, individuals should choose more manageable, practical goals within their life's context instead of unrealistic ones. Otherwise, trying to meet high expectations can lead to stress, resulting in unhappiness and failure.
You don't have to start on 1 January!
Indeed, the aim is to execute our New Year's resolutions promptly. However, you don't necessarily have to start tomorrow. You can choose any date that feels right and meaningful to you, such as your birthday, an anniversary, or after a holiday. The key is not to postpone it until 2025. Additionally, June 1st is recognized as 'New Year's Resolution Recommitment Day.' This day can be an opportunity to review the first five months of the year, update your list of resolutions, and celebrate your achievements.
Watch Out for January 17th!
Although not officially recognized, January 17th is informally celebrated as 'Ditch New Year's Resolution Day' in the United States and, of course, on social media. The choice of this date is quite interesting. It's based on the observation that it typically takes about two weeks for people to realize that they may not be as committed to their New Year's resolutions as they thought. Many realize they wish to avoid adhering to these resolutions by this time. Thus, it is a significant milestone if you're still committed to your resolutions by January 18th, indicating that you've successfully navigated the initial and often most challenging phase of maintaining your New Year's commitments.
To Prevent Our New Year's Resolutions from Becoming Nightmares...
The HuffPost has compiled suggestions from psychologists to help ensure that New Year's resolutions don't turn into nightmares.
Here are some of their tips:
Set Fun Goals: Choose inherently enjoyable goals or find creative ways to make them fun. This approach can significantly increase your motivation and enjoyment as you work towards achieving your goals.
Create a Timeline: If your goal is to learn how to knit, achieving it within a month may not be feasible. However, setting a realistic timeline and breaking the goal into skills you can acquire over time can lead to satisfaction. For instance, you might plan to reach a certain level of proficiency in three or six months. This way, you can adjust your expectations and celebrate progress as it happens. Even if you still need to reach your goal completely, take pride in the progress you've made. Recognizing and celebrating small victories can motivate you and help maintain a positive outlook on your journey.
