At this time of year many people turn their minds to 2011 and what the New Year may have in store.
Are New Year’s resolutions a good idea?
As we all know, the majority of New Year’s resolutions don’t translate into long- term behaviour change. Why is this?
There are a number of reasons. First, behaviour change is not easy – we are all creatures of habit and our behaviour patterns are usually well-established and thus difficult to change. It has been said that a new behaviour has to be maintained for at least six months for it to become a habit.
Secondly, we engage in certain behaviours, such as smoking and over-eating, for a host of reasons, many of them unconscious, so when we try to change the pattern, we often find that we are extremely resistant and will rationalise to ourselves and others that we are OK the way we are and that there is no need to change – this is called the “yes-but” phenomenon!
In my view making New Year’s resolutions has merit because this activity tends to focus the mind and can take the form of a proactive, hopeful and constructive inventory of yourself and your life. However, in order to be effective New Year’s resolutions need to be realistic, achievable and something that can be maintained in the long-term.
If you are serious about keeping your resolutions it is a good idea to write them down, put a realistic time frame against each one, and track your progress throughout the year. Perhaps you could make the tracking of your New Year’s resolutions another resolution for 2011 if you are committed to achieving positive change!