Today: Mar 28, 2024

‘Why Your New Year’s Resolution Sucks’

Jessica Pellegrino – General Assignment Reporter

It is that time of year again. Everyone you know just took an unrealistic pledge to perform some sort of unachievable goal, based entirely because of a month change on a calendar. Let us just say it, your New Year’s resolution is bull, and everyone knows it.

According to a 2014 poll conducted by Scranton University, only six percent of resolutioners will be successful in their goals. In fact, only one out of every three Americans who pledge a resolution will make it out of January with that goal.

But, with that being said, do not feel bad for yourself if you are one of the countless Americans to fail. I have never heard of a single person succeeding in their resolution.

New Year’s resolutions suck. They are impossible, and here is why.

Firstly, you are setting yourself up for failure, because your goals are too lofty. You probably will not be able to motivate yourself on the promise you will look good in a year. A year? That is a really long time. But, there is an easy remedy for this. Set smaller goals with shorter lifespans.

So, if your goal is to lose 40 pounds this year, make your goal to lose 10 pounds in three months. It is the same goal, just broken up into smaller, more digestible pieces.

It is not really a resolution if you do not post all over each and every one of your social media accounts, right? Wrong. That is probably a huge mistake. Rather than posting all about your resolution, maybe just start it. After all, if you do fail, at least you will not have to explain it to anybody.

In general, quitting anything cold turkey is not going to be successful. If you love sweets, and you give up every gram of sugar, you are only going to crave sugar more than you already do. If you smoke a pack a day and give it up, you will need nicotine. Limiting your sugar intake before cutting it out completely is an easier, more successful alternative.

Another alternative is recording how much of something you do, to motivate yourself. If you are trying to save money, write down every time you buy coffee for a week and then add up the total. You will likely be shocked and that will motivate you to want to save.

If you are trying to work out, record your calories to see how much you really eat everyday. It is probably a lot and that will motivate you to cut out unnecessary calories.

But choosing to save money or go to the gym because it is January is not going to make it any easier for me. The idea that this day or month is any different than July or March or even December is the reason people fail.

If you want to reach a goal, you have to do it for yourself, not anyone or anything else. You cannot set goals because the year changed. Set goals because you want to change. If you set small, achievable goals, you will feel more accomplished than worrying yourself over a lofty resolution.

Photo Credit: Staff Photo

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