Jan 30, 2012 12:08 PM
The statistics don't look good for successfully completing New Year resolutions. But there is good news. Keep reading.
According to Opinion Corporation of Princeton, NJ (3% margin of error):
• 45% of Americans usually set New Year’s Resolutions; 17% infrequently set resolutions; 38% absolutely never set resolutions.
• Only 8% of people are always successful in achieving their resolutions. 19% achieve their resolutions every other year. 49% have infrequent success. 24% (one in four people) NEVER succeed and have failed on every resolution every year.
• Of those who do set resolutions (these total more than 100% because some set multiple resolutions):
o 34% set resolutions related to money
o 38% set resolutions related to weight
o 47% set resolutions related to self-improvement or education
o 31% set resolutions related to relationships
• It appears that the younger you are, the more likely you are to achieve your resolutions
o 39% of those in their twenties achieve their resolutions every year or every other year
o Less than 15% of those over 50 achieve their resolutions every year or every other year (could the deeply entrenched habit developed over many years of failing to keep New Year resolutions have contributed to this statistic? I'm guessing "yes.")
• The less happy you are, the more likely you are to set New Year’s Resolutions. This is especially true for those who set money-related resolutions: 41% are not happy, 34% are moderately happy, and 25% are happy.
• There is no correlation between happiness and resolution setting/success. People who achieve their resolutions every year are NO happier than those who do not set resolutions or who are unsuccessful in achieving them.
Ouch. At least setting them or not won't affect our happiness, according to the statistics (WOO-HOO!).
Here are some popular New Year resolutions: lose weight, quit drinking alcohol, exercise more/get fit, quit smoking (or chewing) tobacco, eat healthier, improve relationships, make more money, get out of debt, save money.
There are many ways to succeed in making personal change, but according to the statistics, 'New Year resolutions' isn't a very effective one. (Hint: becoming very good at time management and goal planning/achievement is.)
Here's my take on why this is.
When people fail to keep their New Year resolutions, they often give up completely and resign to the (supposed) "fact" that "that's just the way I am. I guess I'll always be fat (or broke, or unhappy, or ???)."
Here's the truth: that is NOT "just the way they are"! It is NOT a fact! It is who they have decided to be - at that present moment in time. Period. For whatever reason.
People with this belief ("that's just the way I am"), whether they are aware that they've made this decision or not, have decided to give up. They've decided not to grow. They've decided not to evolve. They've decided not to be the master of their own life.
Nothing can stop a made up mind. All you have to do is change your mind. That is where personal change/growth begins.
If nothing changes, nothing changes. Changing your mind is the key and the first step to lasting change.
All you have to do is change your mind about "the way you are." "The way I am" is whatever I decide it to be. Same is true for you and everyone else. This all relates to your self-image: how you see yourself.
If you've had problems "making up your mind" and/or persisting and/or persevering through multiple challenges that inevitably arise in any worthwhile undertaking, at least give yourself the gift of deciding now to get cognitive therapy or life coaching to help you eliminate some stubborn (conscious or unconscious) barriers to your personal mastery, success and happiness.
David Humes is a professional speaker, author, and happiness expert. He's the coauthor of 'Stepping Stones to Success' with Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, and Denis Waitley. For more information, visit http://DavidHumes.com Copyright © 2012 by David Humes. All rights reserved in all media throughout the universe.
