Why do most New Year’s Resolutions Fail? by Doug Grady, Author, Speaker, and Coach

I recently asked the question on facebook, “Why do you think most New Year’s Resolutions fail?” I received responses from over 50 people. If you were one of these, THANK YOU, Please leave a comment below! Here are a few of my favorites:

Old habits die hard.
Lack of commitment and a fear of failure.
When I changed my friends/environment my life changed.
Most goals are too general.
Because it involves an abnormal change in your routines and habits.
Because they are stupid. 😂

Did you know that according to statisticbrain.com only 9.2% of the people who made annual resolutions in 2016 felt that they were successful achieving them? How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? Why do YOU think most New Year’s resolutions fail?

Most of the responses I received fall into one of five categories.

Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail

Number 1: The resolution itself. Take a look at the Top 10 New Year’s resolutions of 2017 below (source: statisticbrain.com).

Rank Top 10 New Years resolutions for 2017 Percent

1
Lose Weight / Healthier Eating 21.4%

2
Life / Self Improvements 12.3%

3
Better Financial Decisions 8.5%

4
Quit Smoking 7.1%

5
Do more exciting things 6.3%

6
Spend More Time with Family / Close Friends 6.2%

7
Work out more often 5.5%

8
Learn something new on my own 5.3%

9
Do more good deeds for others 5.2%

10
Find the love of my life 4.3

11
Find a better job 4.1%

—
Other 13.8%

They all could be considered worthwhile pursuits. But what do they mean exactly? In order for a resolution to be fulfilled it should be:

Specific. What specifically will happen by the end of the year?
Measurable. How will you know?
Realistic. Are you absolutely certain you can and will do this?

Number 2: The energy behind the resolution. Often New Year’s resolutions are made emotionally, or because it seemed like a good idea at the time, or because everyone else is doing it. It is highly unlikely any of these energies will be enough. As time goes on the resolution may seem less important, inconvenient, or otherwise not worth pursuing. In the words of Cavett Robert, founder of the National Speakers Association,

Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed.

Number 3: Lack of structure. This includes planning and preparation, and may also include shifts in environment, people, and lifestyle.

Number 4: Lack of commitment. When you are fully committed, you tend to find a way. When you are not committed, you tend to find an excuse. My friend Kris Cavanaugh-Castro recently wrote a blog, Forget Goals….Make Commitments. In it she states:

Without true commitment, all you have is a good intention….and good intentions aren’t enough.

The word “intention” is a synonym for “resolution.” Commitment goes far beyond either of these.

Number 5: The inner game. The mind can be our greatest ally or our most powerful adversary. Consciously feed your mind with input consistent with the resolutions you intend to fulfill. This includes what you read, what you watch, who you listen to, what you say to yourself, seminars, training, spiritual growth, physical exercise, and personal/professional development programs. For more on this click: RECLAIM YOUR FOCUS, RECLAIM YOUR FUTURE.

I will offer up a sixth reason why New Year’s Resolutions fail.

Number 6: The term. It can be extremely difficult for the brain to lock into being consistent in any area for 365 days. I recommend a medium term (defined by 21-90 days) to lock into a goal and a discipline consistent with that goal. At the end of the term, re-evaluate and go from there.

Consider 40 Days of FOCUS as a powerful tool to help reach your 2017 potential.

For the full facebook thread go to: Why do YOU think most New Year’s Resolutions Fail?

For full statistics go to: statisticbrain.com