Why do most new year resolutions fail?
1. We don’t know that we are born lazy: Our genes have evolved for millions of years primarily to conserve energy, survive and reproduce. A biological system that rewards us for our innate laziness unless our survival is at stake. From our bodies perspective change is an expense, It makes us very uncomfortable. Modernisation and globalization has fueled our laziness to climactic proportions. So complying to a New year resolution (CHANGE) is a much more challenging task than most of us are willing or currently capable of admitting.
Solution: Apply the power of “VIA NEGATIVA” We are habitually using “addition” to solve problems. Eg. To lose weight exercise more (addition) The opposite approach would be to first consider “SUBTRACTION” consider eating less sugar, processed food and drinking less alcohol. In most cases the law of subtraction is much more time, energy, and cost effective.
2. Faulty decision making: Most of us make a New year resolution in a corrupt and impoverished psychological state. We make it during the most festive period of the year, surrounded by family, friends, bombarded by endless advertisements and media, often accompanied by alcohol and amplified emotions. All enormously influencing what we really want for ourselves. The higher our emotions the lower our intelligence.
Solution: Understand the impact of your environment and emotions on your choice. Make a special effort to choose your resolution. Allow time to marinate and condition it. Than only attend to it.
3. Eyes larger than our stomachs: We over enthusiastically make too many changes too soon. As our motivation wanes and time puts our wills to test, most of us crumble like an over baked baked cookie.
Solution: Earn the privilege to an upgrade. Start by making one tiny change, sustain it until it becomes a part of your lifestyle, it must fit seamlessly and flow organically with your life. Than only consider an additional tiny upgrade. The Great Wall of China was built by laying one brick at a time.