If Resolutions Don’t Work, How Do You Approach Change?

Hmmmm, Studies Show 91 Percent of Us Won't Achieve Our New Year's Resolutions.

Doesn’t inspire confidence in the tradition of making resolutions for the New Year. And looking at the research, we have some big things we want to accomplish.

So, if you want to make some meaningful changes for 2023, what do you do? The answer to this is as unique and individual as you. You need to consider what works best for you and how you approach life.

Here are just a few ideas to consider.

Look Back to Look Forward

• Simple questions can sometimes be pretty powerful in influencing your decision making. We find this in our January Circle Meetings where we've been asking everyone to share:

  • 1 thing you are leaving behind

  • 1 thing you are keeping in the new year (something you discovered, want to continue doing, etc.)

• Meredith Kathleen Neumann, MS, LMFT of Scaling Within provided 10 prompts to help you reflect on the year prior and dream into the year ahead

Shift yourMindset

• Focusing on the positive can help - try Positive Psychology’s exercise for setting resolutions

• Unsubscribe to the New Year, New You bs and think “New Year, Truest You” as Andrea Gharritt of The Bold Life Design encourages.

Take Smaller Steps

• As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits says: If you get one percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done.

• Why you should focus on habits instead of resolutions this New Year

Change Your Perspective

• Write a letter to yourself each year instead We’ve done a similar exercise in our Circles that has had great impact.

• Consider rituals instead of resolutions. Rituals, not resolutions: Chasing those 1% improvements and Reclaiming Our Power Rituals — Not Resolutions

• Just “TRY”. Motivation often comes after starting a new behavior, not before. Another one from James Clear: Motivation: The Scientific Guide on How to Get and Stay Motivated

No matter what you choose to do - know that there are ways to make that change that will work for you. Clear goals your passionate about and baby steps are key. To further ensure success, don’t forget: to identify a support system.

Family, friends, a Circle... - all of these will be there when you need the encouragement, advice or help on your change journey.

We’re looking forward to seeing all that you will accomplish this year!