The real truth about your 2019 resolutions

Writing+down+your+resolutions+and+revisiting+the+list+is+a+good+way+to+keep+them+in+the+front+of+your+mind.

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Writing down your resolutions and revisiting the list is a good way to keep them in the front of your mind.

By ALEXIA ROCKEY

 

Have you ever come up with a resolution for the New Year, but quickly failed at keeping that resolution? Most people have goals or resolutions for 2019, but most of them fail at keeping those resolutions. According to a U.S. News and World Report, a newsweekly magazine and website, 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. While the reasons vary from person to person, there are a few common mistakes that might be standing in the way of your success.

Your goals are too vague.

 

The first reason that your goals may be failing is that they are not clear enough, and they are too vague for your life. Before setting a goal, a person should be able to answer this simple question: “How would achieving this goal influence my life?” If this question cannot be answered easily, you may need to consider clarifying your goals prior to setting them. According to Psychology Today, uncertainty about your goals creates room for indifference, confusion, and distance between your goals. Though creating a goal is an important step, it is crucial to remember that “crafting” vague objectives can cause you more psychological distress. The vital component is tailoring tasks that align with who you are and where you wish to be in 2019.

You feel overwhelmed by your goals.

 

Next, the second reason that your goals may be unsuccessful is because you feel overwhelmed most of the time. Sometimes, it can be difficult to accept change into your life, especially if you’re a person who does not do well with such. It may seem as if you have to adapt right away. Also, you may not even know where to start, which makes a person feel pressure to do so as soon as possible. Pressure, whether it be from loved ones, friends, or yourself, can be hard on a person’s self-esteem. All of these factors that cause bad feelings could influence a person to quit on a goal before they even start.

Your goals discourage you.

 

Lastly, the third reason that you may be giving up on your goals this year is that you feel discouraged. As you strive for new goals, you may become impatient in the process. For example, if one of your goals is to lose weight and you haven’t seen any signs of progress, this can negatively affect a person. It can make you upset and then you lose all hope for goals in the first place. According to Shainna Ali Ph.D. from Psychology Today, when you question the value of your goals, you’re at risk of a “snowball effect.” Rather than getting up, dusting off your hands, and moving forward after being “hit,” when faced with hurdles in the process, your goals may no longer seem desirable to continue on with. Therefore, your goals are not achieved.

 

In conclusion, your goals for the year of 2019 may not be the easiest to achieve, but there is always hope in the end. You have to be willing to strive for something you want instead of expecting to receive it right away. After all, your goals are not going to magically appear as complete as you would like them to be. If you experience negative emotions from your goals, then you should talk to peers and authority figures in your life for needed help. In the end, everybody strives to accomplish the goals that they make throughout their lives, so a little help from someone could change your perspective in life.

If you would like to find solutions in order to successfully achieve a goal, I would suggest keeping a journal to track your goals. This will allow you to write steps in order to achieve your goals, and it is a good planner for your time frame that you want to complete them in. If you don’t want to keep a journal, you can watch inspirational videos online. There are many people out there that are experiencing similar situations like you. By watching others that have achieved their goals, it gives you the confidence that you can achieve anything too. Also, it gives you information on how you can accomplish it.