It’s that time of year, again. “New year, new me!” Everyone has a list of resolutions that is growing and growing.
Most of these things have been on the list every year since they started telling everyone how different the new year is going to be. Then, 90% don’t make it past January. There are a few reasons that it may be a good idea to start now.
You’re Already Procrastinating
Let’s be honest – these changes that are on the list are things that we would have benefitted from doing a long time ago. They’re on the list because we’ve put off doing these things for several years. By saying, “I’ll start January 1”, it’s no different than every time the alcoholic tries, “I’ll stop drinking starting Monday.” The issue isn’t being addressed, the resistance isn’t being faced, and the action steps never get taken. Then, something always happens by Monday, so it must become Friday…then, next Monday.
By putting off the changes that we need to make until January first, we are feeding the habit of procrastination. That is a difficult habit to break. Trying to break habits by putting off several changes until a single day that you intend to make ALL the changes is a recipe for disaster. Habits are best addressed one at a time.
It Prevents Biting Off Too Much
This is what causes so many to fail – they try to change themselves drastically while our minds work vehemently to prevent change. This is why only 1 in 10 can stick with resolutions – those are the few who set them realistically or incrementally.
If your resolutions include getting up earlier so that you can go to the gym before work, that is a major routine change. However, if you start getting up 15 minutes earlier this week, 15 minutes earlier next week, and keep this up for the month of December, by January, you’ll be waking up early enough that now you only need to add going to the gym to your new cycle.
It Gets You Started
Whenever a person decides that they’ve had enough and wants the change to happen now, then starts that change immediately, they are more likely to stick with it. Maybe a bad month at work has motivated you to finish your education so you can seek employment elsewhere, but the calm of January makes you put that off another year. Enroll in school in December while the feelings are fresh, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
There are many personal development books that can help you customize a plan that fits your lifestyle and needs by offering hints, suggestions, and hacks. Start your resolutions today so you can start receiving benefits today. Your future self will thank you!
