Resolving to quit has a way of occurring on the first of a year and then reverting to daily practices within a week or so. Several researches have provided less than optimistic statistics for New Year resolutions citing the fact that many people alive on the planet make those on the January 1st but majority quit by January end or next. The typical resolution lasts for about 6 weeks with the 19th of January referred to as the “quitters day” when enthusiasm drops.

However, resolutions can span beyond those time-frames, and even build into habits if done so wisely. In this article we will discuss how and why people fail at their resolutions, how long resolutions generally last, and some tips to help you make a resolution and actually keep it.

Average Lifespan of New Year’s Resolutions

1. The First Week

Another survey reveals that about one-fourth of the population stray from their goal within one week of making the new year resolution. This is usually a result of setting high rates in what we do or lack of planning in our projects.

Why: Euphoria subsides, and you get exhausted approaching the goal with the same energy as in the first days.

2. By Mid-January

Unfortunately, between 30 and 40 percent of all resolutions fail within the first month. This is when motivation usually diminishes, especially in activities that have no set direction or deadlines, and no other external motivation plays heading the goal.

3. By February

In one research done by the Journal of Clinical Psychology showed up that only 19 percent of people can manage to uphold their decision for a period of two months.

4. Long-Term Success

This is because by year end it is only 9-12% of the people who stick to their new year’s resolution. The small percentage of success may be due to achievable, worthwhile targets and outstanding tracking mechanisms.

Why do New Year’s Resolutions Fail

1. Unrealistic Goals

Failure to be specific when making resolutions is disastrous as it leads to setting of unrealistic targets which are easily discouraged.

Example: Saying “I will exercise daily” only to realize that it’s impossible Most often, a person decides to exercise daily, without considering her schedule and the feasibility of the decision.

Solution: S – M – A – R – T goals or specific measurable achievable relevant time-bound goals. You can use Fix My Life AI to help you plan resolutions in a perfect manner.

2. Lack of Planning

Goals for the New Year do not work out because they are made with little or no proper planning or at times, due to lack of a proper planning.

Example: The scenario where one decides to save money but he or she does not target how much exactly he or she is willing to save or manage to save.

Solution: Convert your new year’s resolution into goals, for instance setting goal of saving $50 per week.

3. No Accountability

If goals are not tracked or such goals not communicated with other people, it can be hard to remain motivated.

Example: Failing a new diet and going back to the previous habits within a few weeks and without measuring the results or consulting with someone else.

Solution: Some of the best tracking tools I suggest using include Strides or Fix My Life AI so that you do not forget to recall your progress.

4. All-or-Nothing Mindset

Faultfinding can undo the best of resolutions after a single slip.

Example: Forgetting about an episode and choosing to never exercise again.

Solution: Emphasis on more of doing it than on making it more perfect. Be open for some delay and just make further changes.

How to Make Resolutions Last Longer

1. Start Small

Start with easy targets to set a platform for hard working and achieve high results.

Example: To solve, stop saying things like ‘I’ll lose 30 pounds’ However, try to pledge ‘I’ll exercise two times a week for 30 minutes’.

2. Track Your Progress

Recording one’s activities ensures that the person is encouraged to work harder as well as create awareness of the weak activities.

Example: Keep weekly goals, for instance the amount of money saved or the number of workouts accomplished.

Tip: Other sites like Fix My Life AI even give you updates about your progress and recommendations of things you can do to remain on track.

3. Celebrate Milestones

A small win is memorable and goes a long way in encouraging people to do the right thing over and over again.

Example: Give yourself a little incentive when you have a month straight of working out.

4. Stay Flexible

We do not know what the new year will bring us so adjust your goals to situations that you find yourself in.

Example: If you are still very busy for the daily goal, then, reduce it to three times a week.

5. Build Habits, Not Just Goals

Goals or resolutions are likely to be long term if there is a correlation between the two and the habits.

Example: Making ‘eat healthier’ into a behavior through meal prepping every sunday.

External Insight: Ensuring that the habits we are developing are suitable for the long term is the major idea in James Clear’s Atomic Habits book.

How Fix My Life AI Can Help

Fix My Life AI provides tools to extend the lifespan of your resolutions and turn them into lasting achievements:

• Vision Boards: You can also draw figures of your goals in order to help motivate yourself.
• Goal Templates: Instead of pressure to keep the whole resolution, one needs to divide it into workable milestones.
• Progress Tracking: Higher level of vigilance over significant posts and elementary modification of your strategy in due course.
• Daily Motivation: Get notified about how to be consistent.

Conclusion

Most New Year’s revolutions are usually not successful within the initial few months, and this does not need to be the case. If resolutions are set realistically, and monitored correctly, then it becomes possible for them to be implemented for a long enough time to bring about the desired change. Thereby as you strive to achieve your goals, fix my life AI and other similar tools help you remain answerable, energetic and adaptative.

After studying and rehearsing the strategies below, finally practice them in achieving your new year resolutions making it a custom this year!

ADDITIONAL READING

How Long Is a New Year’s Resolution

New Year’s resolution success rate and tips

Are New Year’s Resolutions Effective