It’s hard to stick to your New Year’s resolutions. Find out what the most commonly-broken resolutions are so you can better prepare yourself.
A new year represents a chance to set ourselves a goal to achieve in the months ahead. While the changing of the calendar is purely symbolic, the tradition of New Year’s resolutions has been around since anyone can remember.
Thinking of a New Year’s resolution is the easy part; sticking to it is what’s tough. Most people decide to go to the gym or give up smoking or drinking. Gyms see an uplift in numbers during January while bars and clubs see decline in custom and cigarette companies often report a downturn in sales. But by the time February has arrived, the balance has been restored and normal service is resumed. So why can’t we stick to our resolutions?
The reason that most of us tend to blame for our failed resolutions is a lack of willpower and a weak mind. The truth is that the resolutions we make are usually pipe dreams that are completely unrealistic and are so demanding that throwing in the towel seems like the only logical option. To help you stay focused on your New Year’s resolutions, we’ve written up some hints and tip.
Ten most broken New Year’s resolutions
There are probably hundreds and thousands of resolutions that never see the end of January, but the most common are ones that most of us have all failed at once or twice.
1. Getting fit
We’ve all been there. After ramming down as much Christmas cake and other festive food as we possibly can, we decide that shedding those post-Christmas kilos is a must and we resolve to work that treadmill until we can work it no more. Unfortunately, more often than not, we find ourselves lacking motivation after a few months.
2. Stop smoking
It goes without saying that smoking is bad for you and also very expensive. That said, it is very difficult to quit and the result is that we give it up for a few days until the next time we drink alcohol or have a coffee that can be finished off by the associated post-dinner ciggie.
3. Learn a new skill
Wanting to learn to play the saxophone, learning French or learning to cook like Gordon Ramsay are just a few of the examples here. As you get older, we’re more resistant to change, so learning a new skill become too hard for most of us. As it turns out and that sax bought with the best January intentions sits in the corner collecting dust from mid-February.
4. Stop spending and save
If you’re a big spender and often splurge when you shop, it’s almost impossible to reverse this trait. However, adjusting your attitude towards money and taking steps to reduce your spending can help you achieve this resolution.
5. See the family more
As we move through life we inevitably become busier and have less time to ourselves and less time to offer family. No matter how much we resolve to see more of our granny or second cousin, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
6. Travel more
Travelling is the one resolution that we should all be looking to stick to. There’s a big wide world out there. If you haven’t seen at least one of the seven wonders of the world, then it could be a simpler resolutions for 2014.
7. Give up the booze
In January this is easy; everyone went out so much over Christmas that a break is needed to take some time off anyway. However, when the following months arrive, the temptations come back again.
8. Do some volunteer work
If we don’t have time for our families as it is, when exactly are we going to find time for people we don’t even know? Again, with more and more responsibilities in life, it’s hard to dedicate some personal time to the less fortunate.
9. Calm yourself
Resolving to worry less about things is integral to maintaining a stable mind. Unfortunately, if you’re a serial worrier, it just takes the garbage men to turn up a few hours late and the barriers are broken. Couple that with your shock credit card bill from December and you’re back where you began.
10. Eat better
The diet starts in January. It goes well. Soups aren’t that bad and fresh fruit is fine as well—who knew? But when you’re strapped for time and looking for a quick and easy meal, or you just can’t be bothered to cook, it’s so much easier just to go to the nearest takeaway store.
What can help you keep your resolutions?
Make your New Years Resolutions pledge. What do you want to achieve in 2015? Choose from broad topics like Health & Fitness, Education & Career, Money, Hobbies, Relationships, or Travel and then write down your goal (or pick from our suggestions). The first step is acknowledging what you want to achieve – then making it happen.
