Do New Year's Resolutions set us up for failure?

1. 36

   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   Do New Year's Resolutions set us up for failure?
   
   Everyone makes them, but it seems most don't keep them. It's like they are, by design, not taken all that seriously? Do we set ourselves up for failure by setting unrealistic or too lofty of goals at the beginning of the year? Would resolutions be more successful if they were smaller in scope?

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2. 82

   JayeWisdomposted 10 years ago

   The key to keeping new year resolutions (or achieving goals for the upcoming year) is to have reasonable expectations of yourself and establish a regular method to measure results. For a start, don't set too many goals. That's a sure route to failure. Two, or at the most, three goals that you are really motivated to achieve within a year's time are much more practical and realistic.
   
   If you've had poor results with new year resolutions in the past, you may want to limit yourself to only one new goal--something that you are highly motivated to accomplish. Decide on a reward in advance for reaching your objective. Post your written goal combined with your planned reward where you will see it often. In fact, if you're good at preparing progress charts, that will also give you a way to see at a glance how you're doing (which is, in itself, a motivator).
   
   Ramp up the motivation by telling at least two people close to you what your goal (resolution) is and ask them to check in with you periodically for progress reports. Suggest that you can do the same for them. You will not want to embarrass yourself with your "resolution buddies", so you're more likely to make the effort even when you're not in the mood to do so.
   
   I've been a bit lazy about publishing new informational articles on HubPages. It's so much more fun to play with fiction, and I've spread my efforts too thin on the fiction front as well. Knowing that informational articles produce the most hub traffic for me (and, therefore, earnings) serves as motivation for me to achieve this goal.
   
   There are so many Hubbers who are much more prolific than I, and they serve as inspiration. (Thanks to all of you!)  Therefore, my 2014 resolution is to research, write and publish at least one new informational hub per month throughout the year. I'll try to add more, but by keeping the count realistic, I'm much more likely to reach my goal.
   
   There!  I've just announced my goal to everyone who reads this feed. MAJOR MOTIVATION TO PREVENT MAJOR HUMILIATION! Haha.
   
   Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to All!
   JAYE

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   1. 36

      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent tips and ideas!  I plan to develop 12 new habits this year instead of focusing on one goal.

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3. 71

   Oscarlitesposted 10 years ago

   I think New Years Goals are essential to target the "heart" of our personal feelings of attainment, (rather than failures) as we never seek to achieve failure performance, it is only the right thing in our minds and heart, to name our goals... perhaps to sometimes defeat the very existence or possibility of failure.. ie.. over weight syndrome, being broke, etc..  the antitype brings us to the conclusion of healthy dieting, or saving money in those two cases.. It relates to us the idea that instead of being negative, to target "Positive".  what else can you name as an example?

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4. 63

   peachwithasmileposted 10 years ago

   Inside look to New Year's Resolutions and if they set us up for failure. read more

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