Seize the Now: The Harsh Truth About New Year's Resolutions
Did you know 23% of people abandon their new year's resolutions by the end of the first week, and 43% by the end of January.
“The present” is your most powerful tool.
Let's dive into a powerful concept: the importance of the present moment, or 'the now.' Have you ever postponed your dreams, waiting for a 'better' time? Well, it's time to rethink that approach.
This post is your wake-up call to start acting on your New Year's Resolutions today. Not tomorrow, next week, or when the planets align. I’m going to share insights into philosophy, science, and real-world data to hopefully convince you to see the value and importance of “the now”.
What does Philosophy say?
Time is Inter-connected: Philosophy says that the past, present, and future coexist in our minds, each influencing one another. Yet, it's only in the present that we can truly act. Our past shapes our identity, but our present decisions carve our future.
What does Science say?
The Present Shapes Our Future: Science supports this, showing that while the past influences our current perceptions, our present actions determine our future. Life is happening in the now. We can't physically travel and step into the past or future, but we can create our future in this very moment.
The Art of Goal Setting and Accountability
Start a goal that is extremely personal: never start a goal based on tradition–like a new years resolution. Research reveals that only 9% of Americans who make resolutions actually complete them. Why? Goals born out of tradition rather than a genuine need for change lack the necessary motivation. Your goal should be a vision of your desired future, not just a checkbox for tradition. Traditional goals come from your ego, because you want others to notice. When its personal, you don’t care what others think.
Prepare for Obstacles: About 23% of people abandon their resolutions by the end of the first week, and 43% by the end of January. Anticipating challenges and planning for them can help maintain progress.
Goal Structuring: Setting goals that are both challenging and broken into manageable chunks can increase motivation. Celebrate each small win to build confidence. Research suggests that setting challenging goals naturally motivates the brain. Our brains love challenges, try my free 5 day challenge.
Accountability: Studies show that people who not only write their goals but set up a way to be accountable for them will be twice as likely to achieve them. You increase your chances of obtaining your goals by 42% if you simply write them down and hang them up somewhere you can see your goals everyday. Accountability means that you are responsible to accomplish the goal; this can be motivating. There are four ways you can set accountability: tell a friend, create or join an accountability group, use technology, like setting measured milestones on an electronic calendar, or hire a coach.