Well it's that time of year once again when many people make New Year's resolutions. Why do we do it and why do we almost always fail at it?
It certainly makes sense that at the end of the year we might spend some time reflecting on the year that's ending and hope for a better new year ahead. Additionally, we often have time off from work and school to allow for reflection and spending time with friends and relatives that we may not see often throughout the year except for the year end holidays might also put us in a reflective mood.
Typically, resolutions focus on self-improvement: losing weight, exercising more, stop smoking, stop drinking to excess, getting the better job (or any job) getting a promotion, having a better intimate relationship (or getting some satisfying intimate relationship going), making more money, and so forth. Perhaps diet and exercise are at the very top of the New Year's resolution list.
Of course, most people aren't successful with their resolutions due to several key factors. First, their expectations are too high. They somehow magically believe that big things will change starting when the calendar switches from one year to another. Second, they fail to understand that well established behavior patterns are very, very, very (did I say very?) hard to change! Third, they fail to plan for the inevitable set-backs and failures that come with changing any habit or behavior pattern.
How can New Year resolutions be more successful? Two strategies immediately come to mind. First, set reasonable expectations. Expecting that someone is going to snap their fingers and set in motion sustainable behavior change starting on January 1st is unlikely. Second, remember the power of social engineering. Can we change our environment in such a way that will highly reinforce the behavior change we desire? For example, seat belt use has improved greatly in recent decades because of changes in the law that made it illegal to not wear seatbelts and changes in the design of cars that make it a hassle to not wear your seatbelt (e.g., annoying ligts and noise until the seatbelt is secured). Smoking rates have declined in part due to high taxes and legal changes such that it is very had to smoke in so many public and even private environments now. How can you socially engineer your behavior change?
And if you are one of so many trying to lose weight in the New Year may I offer two suggestions? Get a pedometer, wear it at all times, and don't go to bed unless you have 10,000 steps each day. Second, don't eat fast food or eat at anyplace that has a drive thru. You do those two simple things over time and I'll guarantee you'll lose weight!
So, Happy New Year and may 2011 be better than 2010 for us all.
