Research on athletes who make New Year’s resolutions has pinpointed January 12th as the fateful day when the most people report having failed to keep their commitment to themselves. And before January has come to a close, most people have given up entirely on their resolutions.
If you are one of the many who are making New Year’s resolutions for 2020, let me remind you that it takes grit – the convergence of passion and perseverance around a meaningful long-term goal – to follow through on these commitments. Here are two tips for getting traction on your New Year’s resolutions.
The first component for grit is to anchor your resolution to a long-term goal you are passionate about. A bad example would be a resolution to begin working out at the gym so that you look good in a swimsuit on winter break in Florida. A good example would be a resolution to begin working out so that you can build stamina to pursue your personal interests outside of work instead of coming home weary every evening.
The second component for grit is perseverance – your resolution needs to be linked to an achievable plan for success that works for you. Think through what may hinder your success and take action to mitigate those obstacles. Perhaps you need a gym buddy to help you stay the course. Or you need to commit to putting on your workout gear before you allow yourself a cup of coffee in the morning. Plus, instead of simply adding to your frantic schedule this new commitment to go to the gym, determine what you are going to cut from your schedule to give priority to this important commitment to yourself.
“A goal is not about what you accomplish. It’s about who you become.” ~ Michael Hyatt