So what kind of a world do we now live in that there is an unofficial official day when the majority of the nation gives up on a dream. National Quitters day is the second Friday of January.
New Years Resolution
What is and why make a new years resolution? For most the idea of a fresh start at the beginning of a new year is a great time to make a change in your life. Often times this is unfortunately when people make unreasonable resolutions.
So how did resolutions start?. According to the History Channel the idea of a new years resolution can be traced back to the ancient Babylonians and a 12 day festival known as Akitu. This is when they would either crown a new King or reaffirm the sitting king.This is also when they would make promises of returning debts for favors of the gods for the next year.
This practice also continued into the Roman Empire as Julius Ceasar moved the New Year to January first. It is a practice that has continued on since.
What do most people resolve to do?
In today’s world most people will make a new years resolution to lose weight, eat better, and/or lose weight. Isn’t it funny how for the past few years one of the major sponsors of New Years TV coverage has been Planet Fitness?
Unfortunately with this concept the opposite developed into the idea of National Quitters day. Too many people make too difficult of a goal and too drastic of a change attempt. This quickly burns through the initial drive and motivation and becomes a failed attempt.
How to not be a statistic
According to many areas of research there is the idea of the 21 90 rule. This rule states it takes an average of 21 days to make a habit and an average of 90 days for establishing a permanent change.
Along with consistency of attempts, there needs to be small short term realistic goals. These goals should be progressive and lead into long term goals. In order to maintain momentum effort, there must be some moments of goal attainment.
Kind of sounds like therapy….
So just like in the therapy world, short term and long term goals need to be established. This not only give a focus to whatever you choose to do, but also helps with motivation as smaller attainable goals are completed. These smaller goals can build to a long term goal which is where the true New Years resolution lies.
So did you make a resolution?
So were you part of the millions of people that just recently made a New Years resolution? Did you resolve to lose weight, learn a new skill, do something that was enjoyable more again? Did you establish a plan or are you just winging it?
Did quitters day get you?
Did you fizzle out like the countless others? Were your goals the victim of National Quitters day? Did you fall into the trap of unreasonable goals and poor planning?
The Positive spin on quitters day
There is not one bad moment to make a resolution to improve yourself. There is no need to accept failure and wait another year. Start today all over again and learn from the initial failure. Make the right goals and plan to make a difference. It can all start today.
