The end of January finds us in one of two places when it comes to New Year’s Goals: either you have done a good job keeping them and sticking to them, or you have not!
Which are you?
Research suggests that approximately half of all Americans make new year’s resolution each year, yet only 8% succeed in keeping them.
With statistics like these, why do people start the new year out, again, by making resolutions, some making the SAME ones that they failed to keep last year?
What is your resolution from last year that you DID NOT keep?
Half of the nation makes New Year’s resolutions each January, but only 8% of people actually keep them. Yet each year we continue to make New Year’s Resolutions even though we know that the possibility of not keeping them is slim! Why is this?
We keep making New Year’s resolutions and goals for ourselves because we have a desire for self-improvement. We want to overcome our mistakes, and accomplish more. We want to change and develop in a positive manner.
What are the top 5 New Year’s Resolutions made every January?
According to research, the top 5 New Year’s Resolutions made each year are:
- Lose weight
- Get organized
- Spend less, save more
- Enjoy life to fullest/travel
- Stay fit and get healthy
This sound simple enough, right? Common, and even do-able. Yet even these common most-made resolutions do not last beyond the first week.
How long do resolutions last?
Research shows:
- 75% of people continue through to the first week in January
- 71% – 2nd week
- 64% – 1 month
- 46% – past 6 months with less than 8% succeeding.
Why is that? What is going on? People mean well, want to change, aim for self-improvement, and yet most can’t make it through the first week?
So why don’t they stick?
WHY? Most people will say they just don’t have enough will power to follow through, others blame their circumstances, lack of money, spouse or children.
Studies show that most resolutions do not last because:
- They are extremely lofty/unrealistic resolutions
- There is a lack of will power/no plan
- There is a time management issue
- It becomes a financial burden
- People try going it alone/without support
Well, I am here to tell you it is none of these reasons, alone.
People know what to do, but don’t follow through because they
- don’t set the right goals for themselves,
- don’t follow through in the right order
- they try to go it alone without support.
A healthy individual makes goals in 5 different areas and strives toward daily progress.
In order to reach your goals,:
- Personal
- Spiritual
- Mental
- Relational
- Work
Studies prove that a well-rounded health individual make goals in each of the following 5 areas associated with life, and strives to improves their relationship in:
- Body (health/fitness/weight) – This falls under personal
- God – improving your relationship with God or a higher power helps your understand your purpose, and gives you meaning and peace in your life.
- Mind – improving the mind, the ability to reason, critical thinking, wisdom, decision-making
- Others – family, spouse, children, friends, people we meet at work, grocery store, etc.
- Work – increasing productivity, skill, understanding, and contentment and relationships within the work environment
Story
For years, I made the same resolutions each year: lose weight, get healthy, be more organized. And each year, I found myself realizing I can not seem to accomplished what are very noble goals.
As an FDN-P, my studies into health and wellness, and functional medicine, slowly unfolded to me that health is about being well-rounded in all areas of our life. It was when I began to apply these principles, that I actually began to lose weight, get healthy, and become more organized. I had to work on ALL areas that make up me:
- Body
- My spiritual relationship to God, my higher power
- My mind – thoughts, what I read, think, assume ; my attitude
- My relationship to others
- My work.
So, my question to you, is:
Are your New Year Goals balanced?
You are invited to join my private Facebook Group, Functional Health – Healthy Options for Overall Wellness, https://www.facebook.com/groups/207604439580486. In this group we discuss the very things I am writing about today and more.
Or you can connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicashealthyliving/
