Chapter 1: The Reality of New Year's Resolutions

Each New Year often starts with a familiar scenario: waking up groggy and regretful after another night of celebration. With a pounding headache and a dry throat, many of us think, "This year will be different. I’m going to improve my fitness and treat myself better. Just not today."

It’s no surprise that by February, many of us come to terms with the fact that we’ve once again failed to keep our promises. Deep down, we may convince ourselves that we lack the willpower needed to instigate real, lasting change.

Let’s face it, very few of us genuinely believe we will uphold our New Year’s resolutions. So why do we continue to make them? The allure of a transformed self is hard to resist, yet for many, life remains unchanged. Those shiny new gym memberships often go unused by spring, and the jeans we hoped to fit into? It’s just wishful thinking.

So, what are we doing wrong?

The term "resolution" signifies a firm commitment to act or refrain from acting. This could be phrased like so:

• I commit to being a more supportive friend this year.
• I aim to enhance my fitness before summer.
• I strive to minimize negative self-talk.

These intentions sound admirable in theory. However, how realistic are they? What if we could approach them differently?

First, it’s crucial to understand why over 80% of resolutions fail within the first month. A significant factor is that many of us set unattainable goals from the start. Resolutions that lack specificity often lead to disappointment. For instance, vague goals like "eat healthier" or "exercise more" are inherently flawed.

These common resolutions set us up for failure because most of us don’t possess superhuman willpower. We are simply human. Thus, we need to establish objectives that are manageable and realistic—targets that we stand a chance of achieving. This is essential for gradually building the self-confidence needed to reach any goal, regardless of size.

A few years back, I heard Kobe Bryant (may he rest in peace) state that once he made a decision, it was non-negotiable; he had to follow through. That’s a powerful mindset, especially for someone who became a global sports icon. However, for the average person, such extraordinary levels of self-control may not be feasible. We should strive for more attainable goals instead.

For example, instead of declaring, "I will eat healthier," I might say, "I will avoid snack bars on Mondays." This approach could significantly improve my chances of success.

The key to sticking to our resolutions—beyond just the New Year—is to set small, incremental goals. These manageable steps can gradually enhance our self-belief and lead to a more focused and determined version of ourselves in 2024.

Here are five suggestions you might consider, or use as inspiration to create your own:

1. Commit to alcohol-free Mondays in January.
2. Dedicate time on weekends to stretch before your first cup of coffee.
3. Enjoy an apple each evening before 8 PM.
4. Give at least one genuine compliment each week to a friend or loved one.
5. Go meat-free on Tuesdays (but feel free to enjoy a beer or glass of wine with your veggie meal).

You might think, "I only managed to avoid drinking for four days in January. So what?" But you know what? At least you did it! That's a step toward your goal of becoming healthier. Celebrate those small victories, as they are just as important as the big ones. Now, consider setting a slightly larger target. After all, you’ve proven you can succeed, and every small effort counts as progress.

Wishing you all the best for 2024. Embrace the journey, with its ups and downs, and most importantly, enjoy the process.