How to make sure you’re not one of the 50 percent
Although I’m focusing on one big, fat, hairy goal this year – my Journey to everyday Joy – I’m really enjoying reading all the goals and resolutions posts from my fellow bloggers. There’s so much positive energy around this month some of it has surely got to stick!
I’m actually feeling really positive today because I’m typing with two hands again finally – woop! My scar, from an operation to put a plate and four pins in my hand after falling down the stairs and breaking it before Christmas, is healing well and I might even be able to drive again early next month.
I’m looking pensive here because it looks so cold outside – but I’m rocking my scar!
How are you getting on with your goals for 2015?
It’s a scary thought that 50% of people who make resolutions are likely to break them by the end of January and a massive 80% fall by the wayside overall.
Wow, that’s a lot of goals not met and resolutions broken. How demoralising for so many of us!
James Villas, one of our favourite family holiday companies – we had an amazing adventure to Murcia with them last year – has been working with John Norcross , the Professor of Psychology from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania and an internationally recognized authority on resolutions and behaviour change. He’s identified some key things that explain the ups and downs of resolutions and tips to help us stick with them – I’ve picked what I think are the top two for me:
#1 BE REALISTIC – What’s essential is that your resolution goal be about you, for you. It has to be realistic. In fact, 26% of resolvers from James Villas’ research said that their recent resolutions were not realistic, leading to failure before they even began.
#2 BE POSITIVE – The resolution must be under your control and ideally stated in a positive direction. Goals that are phrased in positive terms typically prove slightly more successful. So instead of promising yourself you’ll “procrastinate and drink less,” resolve to drink more non-alcoholic beverages and complete your tasks on time.
So does my big, fat, hairy goal tick these boxes? I think so, yes. It’s about me, for me and while it’s not realistic to be joyful every single second I can definitely try to seek out the joy in the little things, every day. It’s a goal that’s in my hands, it’s in my control to choose to joy and it’s certainly positive!
There are a lot more interesting facts from the James Villas research which they’ve popped into this nifty infographic:
So tell me, have you made any resolutions this year? What are you going to do to make sure that you meet your big, fat, hairy goals?
I didnt have any resolution per se but just to be a nicer mother to my son in spite of marital problems. Which I am so proud to say that im doing!
#ShareWithMe
Merlinda Little ( ) recently posted…My High Street Find
Such a lovely goal – it’s hard not to let our emotions with one person spill over into the rest of our lives isn’t it. Good luck x
Wow, I hadn’t realised you’d got yourself a scar too – I bet the kids are loving it! As for resolutions, I tend to avoid them, going for goals instead, which are far easier to attain I find
xx
Franglaise Mummy recently posted…Making goals for 2015
Yep, I’m the bionic woman now! And I agree with you Sophie, big, fat, hairy goals are the way forward! (Especially when you’ve got a fab book to record them in… can’t wait for mine to arrive!
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Brilliant post Michelle! As you know already I wholeheartedly agree. We must must must keep our goals achievable otherwise we are more likely going to fail miserably.
I’d love to add a travel resolution to my list this year, but with three kids under six, including a baby, it’s not going to happen for a while!! Food for thought at some point though…
Very best of luck with your big fat hairy goal my lovely xxx
Reneé @ Mummy Tries recently posted…Our Experience of the Portland Hospital
Thanks Renee you and I are of the same mind
Travelling with little ones is tricky so I totally understand why that goal might be a bit difficult this year! x
Great post Michelle. So true we all fail when it comes to resolutions that are unrealistic. I have tried not to make a list but more of just l little easy changes here and there. So informative too. Thanks so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
Jenny recently posted…Share With Me ~ #3
It’s almost as like people make resolutions knowing that they’re just going to fail – such a shame and so disappointing. I hope sharing a book like this will help people to actually hit their goals x
I prefer making resolutions as a couple. We resolve to do ten things together over the year. Working towards shared goals and also things that mean quality time together. Very heart-warming when we look at the list at the end of the year and see how far we’ve come.
clementinebuttercup.blogspot.co.uk
Clementine Buttercup recently posted…
Oh I LOVE this idea! Going to talk to the husband about this, thanks so much for sharing it x
That’s an interesting infographic, especially the resolutions people find hardest to keep!
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files recently posted…
I know – although when I was a regular gym goer I was used to seeing a mad influx of people in January that disappeared in February!
Glad your hand is healing well and definitely agree that being realistic and positive makes achieving new year’s resolutions more likely.
Thanks Louise, it’s scary how many people fall off the resolution wagon isn’t it…