If you are like me, you probably vowed to change something in 2022. How is that New Year's Resolution of you going, one month in?
New Year’s Resolutions, like changing habits or trying something new (classical examples include losing weight or vowing to read more) are all about forming or breaking habits. We typically only stick with new habits for small periods of time because they are burdensome and tend to interfere with our daily lifestyle.
Think about all those gym memberships sold a few weeks ago, and how difficult it was to find an empty treadmill in early January! A few weeks in and you can walk right in without so much as a wait for your favorite exercise bike.
Why do we Struggle With New Year’s Resolutions?
Probably a common New Year’s Resolution is to lose a few of those extra pounds you have been carrying around as a result of the pandemic. The intentions are good, but:
This resolution is outcome-based. It is focused on a very specific result, losing weight. However, if you changed the resolution to be process oriented, say becoming more athletic, you suddenly have something to work with. You have changed the resolution to habit forming process and not just an outcome.
Second, by rephrasing your goal to becoming athletic, you've changed your resolution to an identity, something you aspire to - as opposed to a target. By adjusting your resolution to an identity you can begin to seek out not just one way, but multiple ways to become athletic. You'll look to become more active, you'll try to eat more like an athlete, you will develop habits that you think other athletes have.
As a result, you'll form habits because that is who you are becoming, rather than someone going through the motions to lose some temporary weight. By focusing on the "who", not the “what”, you'll begin to develop a series of actions that are repeated, that will begin to shape the new direction you are heading in. Suddenly, you'll bike to the store rather than drive, you'll walk instead of taking a cab.
As you slowly begin to see improvements in yourself your pride will begin to kick in as well. You'll be identified as an athlete, your friends will identify you has someone who is constantly moving and health conscious. This pride will will push you to become more of who you are aspiring to be - the athlete. The one who trains regularly, the one who eats better.
You'll begin asking yourself what you an athlete do when looking at a menu or walking down the chip aisle at the grocery store.
Let's recap: Habit-Forming is The Key To Keeping New Year’s Resolutions
Life is all about habits, and breaking bad habits is notoriously difficult. By focusing on changing your identity and not on a specific outcome, you can achieve any new resolution. Or better, look to adjust that something in your daily life that has been bothering you.
Now, if you'll excuse me - I'm off for my daily walk.
Comments