At the start of every year, the same questions arise: What do we want to change in our lives? And where do we want to go? However, experience shows that enthusiasm alone is not enough, and that most New Year’s resolutions may change or fade away after just a few weeks. According to positive psychology, achieving goals is not solely linked to willpower, but also to mindset, the way goals are formulated, and the daily habits associated with them.
Why Do We Fail to Stick to Our Goals?
Research indicates that personal development is not achieved through sudden, major decisions, but rather through clear goals, small steps, and sustainable daily habits.
It is emphasized that a sense of accomplishment and daily commitment forms the foundation of any long-term change, and that setting overly large or vague goals increases the likelihood of setbacks and failure.
10 Practical Steps to Ensure You Achieve Your New Year’s Goals
1. Don’t Start with a Long List of Goals:
Piling up goals often leads to feelings of overwhelm and early failure, while focusing on a few core, specific goals enhances the chances of commitment and development.
2. Break the Big Goal into Small Steps:
Large goals can seem difficult to achieve. Breaking them down into small daily and weekly tasks ensures steady progress. This is a method recommended by experts to enhance focus and motivation.
3. Connect the Goal to a Personal Meaning:
Goals linked to core values like health or family are the most sustainable. Research suggests that connecting goals to personal achievements increases internal motivation and daily commitment. For example, if your goal is to learn a new skill, link it to a tangible value like “I will learn drawing to reduce stress and increase focus,” rather than just learning for the sake of it.
4. Make the Goal Measurable:
Vague goals lose direction. Using measurable indicators to assess your progress enhances your sense of accomplishment and motivates you to continue. Instead of “I want to read more,” set a goal like “I will read one book per month.” This allows for precise tracking of progress.
5. Start with a Daily Habit That Doesn’t Exceed 10 Minutes:
Consistency is more important than quantity. A short daily habit, such as meditation or note-taking, fosters personal development and supports your psychological well-being.
6. Expect Stumbles and Don’t Consider Them Failure:
Temporary setbacks are a natural part of any self-improvement process. Experts point out that treating mistakes as learning opportunities helps with persistence and achieving better long-term results.
