Habits

If you’re looking to give up a vice or begin a healthy new habit, now’s your chance: the first three months of the new year are the prime time to begin tackling everyday challenges in your life.

A recent study by the Scranton Clinical Journal of Psychology stated that forty five percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions.

There are fewer statistics on those who give up things for Lent, but Catholics and many Protestant Christians use the forty days of preparation for Easter as a time to give up a vice and become closer to God.

A more sobering statistic came alongside the resolutions, however: only eight percent of those who make resolutions fully achieve their goal. Why so few?

Timothy Pychyl, a director of clinical psychology at Carleton University, responded to the low rate of success with the belief that people need a little less talk and a little more action. He stated that resolutions are a form of “cultural procrastination,” which describes a phenomenon in which large masses of people commit to reinvent themselves, based around the same point in time—in this case, Lent and New Year’s Eve.

People tend to use the resolution as motivation, but lack a profound internal desire to change. This is why the first few weeks of resolutions and new habit setting go well, but tend to slip up later on.

So how do you avoid the habit-busting blues? First, make sure to know exactly what the goal is. Researchers recommend writing down the resolution in concrete terms. Generalities do not help in this situation (for example, “do not eat any chocolate bars at work or ice cream after dinner,” is much more specific than “don’t eat sweets.”)

Going along with this idea, map out each step of your journey. You might not be able to give up your hour of television each night cold turkey, for example. Maybe begin by lessening the time in ten minute increments. Whatever your goal, make sure you have mapped out how you want to get there.

Secondly, seek social support. Let friends and family know your resolution or what you have given up for Lent, and ask for their support. This can be especially helpful in situations during which you need motivation: having a buddy to go to the gym with means you will enjoy the time more, and someone to push you into remaining devoted to the new habit.

Third, and most importantly, make sure you enjoy the journey. Especially in the case of Lent, this time is meant to bring you closer to the “you” you would like to be. Remaining focused on the short-term goals can bring fulfillment even before long-term success. Celebrating little victories within the process gives more motivation to complete the ultimate goal.

Sources:

“10 Tricks to Help You Actually Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions,” Huffington Post

Statistics Brain

“How to Keep Your Resolutions,” New York Times