As was tradition, many people sat down around January first in 2020 and made resolutions. These could have ranged from exercising, obtaining a significant other, or reading more often. After finishing the list we went back to partying and forgot about it in the morning. Waking up groggy clouds judgment, so we all decided that our resolutions could wait, after all there were a few days of winter break remaining. But as the days started to slip by and the middle of January rolled around, we never got to start any of those goals.
Every year we all fall into the same trap and set out goals for ourselves before feeling down after failing. This is because most people set goals that will be fulfilled in less than a year. Getting more fit within a year seems like an easy accomplishment because you have 52 whole weeks, which is 365.25 days. In reality, this is impossible. The health gurus and model’s in magazines did not get their physique because they exercised for just a year. It most likely took them multiple years to get to where they are. So if setting new year’s resolutions is not working, how are we supposed to improve ourselves?
The key is to set up small goals that are not too difficult to achieve but still pose a challenge. This is because the final goal is easier to dream about than reaching the goal. For example, getting a significant other sounds like an easy task because the moment you get one you have accomplished your goal. A simple “Hey do you want to date me?” takes less than a few seconds, but building up to that statement is the hard part of the resolution. Getting someone’s attention takes time because you have to work on yourself to make sure you are interesting and you have to meet many people to see who you are compatible with. There are many things that we have to keep in mind for this one goal, but most people think that it is fairly simple.
Creating small goals that can be reached in a matter of weeks or months continually, and is the best way to complete resolutions without burning out. But here is the best part: New Year’s Resolutions do not have to start on the first day of the year. People always want to think “new year, new me” but starting something so abruptly is extremely difficult. Even though it is a few weeks into 2021, you can start that resolution you pushed back. Think about it like this, Covid-19 will not go away because it is the new year nor will our world’s political turmoil, so why should you have to change so abruptly?
