Key Points

New Year resolutions allow us to take stock of our lives and resolve to chart a new path in the new year.
New Year resolutions mustn’t be sophisticated or complex activities or behaviors.
To stick to your resolutions, assess your willingness, set clear goals, track your progress, stay accountable, reward yourself, and stay flexible.
Do not feel pressured to make the resolutions at the beginning of the year.

Fitness centers the world over post record numbers of new members at the beginning of every year – typically in the first week of January.

This shows that a lot of people begin the new year with a resolution about what to start doing and what to stop doing. The question of New Year resolutions: are they any good? Comes in handy.

What is surprising is that by the last month of the first quarter, less than 50% of the people who started out at the fitness center at the beginning of the first quarter of the year, hardly pay any visit or do so with the same passion and enthusiasm as they start out.

If most people are unable to follow through with what they have resolved to do at the beginning of the year or quarter, then the question is: Are New Year resolutions any good?

Should you have New Year resolutions?

In my opinion, they seem pretty good to have. Just as the Greek Philosopher – Socrates said, “An unexamined life is not worth living”. New Year resolutions at the very least allow us to take stock of our lives and perhaps resolve to chart a new path in the new year. More so, self-examination is beneficial as it improves our self-awareness.

Without sounding scientific, my observation is that resolving to carry out activities or modifying behaviors that you have a lot of control over, can improve your chances of following through. Secondly, they do not have to be sophisticated or complex activities or behaviors.

Simple examples include resolving to drink more water, spending more time with family, taking the family out for a nice meal at least once a quarter, being more patient with yourself and with other people, forgiving easily, and perhaps reading more books every quarter.

Others can be as little as resolving to bring your best self – body, mind, and spirit to work or as complex as learning a new skill or language.

Also read: 6 Ways Your Cell Phone Is Affecting Your Health

I have also found that telling a trusted partner, friend, or acquaintance about your New Year resolution helps to create a system of accountability and support to achieving your goal; because you are better off able to follow through with a friend or partner holding you accountable to what you have resolved to do for yourself.

The key is to focus on activities and behaviors that help you to improve as a person, as well as activities or behaviors that keep you happier and improve your state of mind. Who says resolutions must only happen at the beginning of a new year? It does not have to be at the beginning of the year so do not feel pressured to do so in January. Feel free to start anytime as the key is not in making the resolutions but in following through and being a better person as a result.

New Year Resolutions: Get it right!

The usual ambivalence you feel when making a New Year Resolution is perfectly understandable. It’s easy to get excited about the 12 new months of opportunity you have and make countless resolutions. By February, the reality that it’s unlikely you’ll stick to your resolutions slowly sets in. Then, by March, you may even forget or discard the resolutions you made at the start of the year.

However, if your resolutions are important to you, it is possible to move forward even amid uncertainty. In fact, sticking to your New Year Resolutions can boost your self-confidence. Confidence in the fact that you can actually make a resolution and keep it. Suffice it to say, it gives you a sense of self-efficacy.

So, instead of giving up on your New Year Resolutions, consider how you can make them work. Sometimes, it’s not what you do but how you do it. Below are a few helpful tips that will help you commit to your resolutions with a steady momentum in January and all through the year;

1. How Willing Are You?

The most important thing about making New Year Resolutions is to assess your willingness to do them. You have to decide whether or not you really want to make different choices in different areas of your life. For example, if your resolution is to spend less time on social media and you really don’t want to do that, then throw the resolution into the bin.

2. Set Clear Goals

Make your resolutions specific and achievable. Instead of saying “exercise more,” aim for “run 20 minutes three times a week.” Moreover, the goals you set shouldn’t be much. People typically see many goals as extras and don’t see themselves having time for them. Most time, they’ll end up sticking to one. So, it will be better if you set just one or two goals for the year. It’s much easier to remember and execute.

3. Track Progress

It’s very easy to lose track of your resolutions in the everyday hustle and bustle of life, especially if you’re not tracking your progress. We recommend that you record your progress daily or weekly. This could mean keeping a journal, recording it on your calendar, or using an app to record your achievements. Seeing progress can motivate you to stay committed.

4. Stay Accountable

The excitement and enthusiasm you feel when making your New Year Resolutions can quickly (and easily) wane over the span of 12 months. Therefore, share your goals with friends or family. They can support you and help keep you on track in the moments when you are willing to make the right choices.

5. Reward Yourself

Celebrate small victories along the way. Treat yourself to something enjoyable when you reach milestones. This could be something as small as enjoying your favorite snack, watching a movie, or spending time with friends. These rewards can boost your motivation and make your journey enjoyable.

6. Be Flexible

Life happens. If you slip up, don’t give up. Adjust your plan and keep moving forward. Understand that setbacks are normal. If you miss a target, don’t be discouraged. Instead, adjust your plan and keep going. Flexibility helps you stay committed even when things don’t go perfectly. The key is to learn from mistakes and keep moving forward.

So, New Year Resolutions: Are they any good?

Are New Year’s resolutions any good? That is the question!

In conclusion…

New year resolutions are needed but are highly dependent on your effort and discipline to make them count for something. If you are new to making New Year resolutions, start with the smallest of activities, find an accountability partner, and make it happen.

Do not feel pressured to make the resolutions at the beginning of the year. Take your time and go at your pace because it is all about you.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine can play a big role in helping you stick to your New Year’s resolutions, especially those related to health and wellness. With telemedicine, you can easily consult doctors and specialists from home, making it simpler to keep regular check-ups and follow-ups. This convenience can help you stay accountable and on top of health goals, like losing weight or managing stress.

Additionally, telemedicine can offer personalized fitness and nutrition plans tailored to your needs. By connecting with dietitians and trainers online, you can get expert guidance without having to visit a clinic. This flexibility can make it easier to maintain your resolutions and lead a healthier lifestyle. With telemedicine, achieving your New Year’s goals becomes more manageable and feasible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do New Year’s resolutions ever work?

Of course, they work! Plus, they’re not exactly doomed to fail. Keeping New Year resolutions depends on the person and their approach. Many people are able to (at least) achieve some of their resolutions for the year. If you make a plan and stick to it, your resolutions have a better chance of working.

2. Is it OK not to have a New Year resolution?

Yes, it’s totally fine not to have a New Year resolution. Everyone is different, and you don’t need to follow trends to be happy or successful. If making New Year resolutions scare you, then feel free to ditch it. There are other strategies for adopting healthier habits that still work well.

3. Why do New Year resolutions fail?

New Year resolutions often fail because people set unrealistic goals or try to change too much at once. Usually, most people tend to go too hard, too quickly, instead of taking baby steps. Without a clear plan or gradual steps, it’s easy to lose motivation. Also, if the goals are not personally meaningful, it becomes harder to stay committed.

4. Are New Year’s resolutions good for mental health?

New Year’s resolutions can be good for mental health if they are realistic and meaningful. They are a tool for personal growth. Setting and achieving small, positive goals can boost confidence and happiness. Your mental health must be your priority. Failing to meet unrealistic resolutions can lead to stress and disappointment. Choose resolutions that truly matter to you and approach them with a positive mindset.

5. Why are New Year’s resolutions a waste of time?

Although having resolutions for the new year is beautiful, it can be seen as a waste of time because many people set unrealistic and unspecific goals and quickly give up on them. Instead of making a lasting change, they might feel frustrated and disappointed when they can’t keep up with their resolutions. It’s often better to set smaller, achievable goals throughout the year.