For many people, a new year marks the perfect opportunity to let go of old habits and start on a clean slate. This is why new year’s resolutions have become the norm all over the world. While some people might be under the impression that new year’s resolutions have to be extravagant or big life changes, that is not the case. In fact, a new year’s resolution could be something as personal as getting better at online slots if you’re a casino game enthusiast.
Even though most people start the year off determined and eager to fulfill their resolutions, that doesn’t always happen. Many people end the year off without having accomplished the resolutions they set at the beginning of the year. Here, we’ll explore why failed resolutions are the norm and how to make lasting changes.
What is a new year’s resolution?
A new year’s resolution is a firm decision or goal that you make or set out to achieve during the year ahead. It can be anything from overcoming an addiction, improving your fitness levels, or even just trying out some new and exciting online casino games as a way to unwind.
Some of the most common new year’s resolutions are tied to fitness, weight, and work. Resolutions can typically be classified as either self-improvement, work-related, or relationship-oriented. Each of these categories is quite broad and extends to goals such as improving your spirituality, weight loss, quitting an addiction, getting a promotion or bonus, or being a more present and attentive spouse or parent.
Why it’s good to have new year’s resolutions
The nature of new year’s resolutions makes them goals or targets, meaning that it’s important to be realistic and committed when you set them. However, given the busyness of life and how easy it is to become overwhelmed by everyday challenges, it’s not uncommon for people to lose sight of what they hope to achieve throughout the year.
Setting new year’s resolutions is a good thing because it makes you more intentional about what you want to achieve and how you’re going to go about it. If you’re the type of person who tells people about your resolutions, then it also gives you accountability partners and people who will track your progress with you. This makes you more likely to achieve what you set out to do, providing a sense of stability and possibly even giving you a sense of purpose.
While setting these resolutions is a good and common practice, the reality is that most people lose heart along the way and end up not seeing them through. According to research and reports by Forbes and CNN, approximately 80% of people fail at their resolutions and end up abandoning them.
Some of the most common reasons for resolutions failing are:
- Lack of time or discipline: To achieve anything in life, it’s important to set aside time specifically for that thing. However, between work and family demands, the resolution may end up taking the back seat if you don’t have enough discipline.
- Poor planning: It’s widely known that the goals you set, in this case, your resolutions, need to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound). Without realistic goals and sufficient planning, the chances of achieving them are very slim, which is why most resolutions fail. It also creates a level of uncertainty as to what steps to take toward success.
- Not enough commitment or dedication: Setting resolutions without being committed to the end results leads to failure. Resolutions require you to take regular, consistent steps toward achieving them; otherwise, you’re playing a losing game.
- Disappointment from past failures: It’s not uncommon for people to keep setting the same resolutions repeatedly because they might’ve failed to achieve them in previous years. The urge to keep trying is a good thing, but the shame and disappointment of having previously failed may also lead to low morale and very little motivation to pursue the same resolution again.
How to create lasting change
With that in mind, you may wonder what you should do to achieve your resolutions and create lasting change. Although there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to it, there are a few things that you could do to improve your chances of ticking off those resolutions in the new year.
Firstly, be realistic about your expectations. By being honest about your personal circumstances and capabilities, you’re more likely to set and plan resolutions that are achievable by you. Secondly, you need to create some sort of plan and outline of the steps to take to achieve your resolutions. Thirdly, you need to start taking action, and if you do happen to fall off track, don’t quit or give up entirely. You should stay true to your resolutions and actively work towards achieving them by taking corrective action.
It’s important to take time to reflect and monitor your progress so that you can make the necessary changes along the way. Even though the first day of the year may seem like the best time to make a change, that isn’t always the case. For some people, a major life event could prompt a lifestyle change or a new resolution right in the middle of the year! Simply put, it’s always best to start making changes when you feel that you are ready to, without necessarily waiting for a new year.
Setting resolutions requires you to be fully committed and mentally ready to see it through, and the reality is that doesn’t always happen on January 1. Setting resolutions based on a specific day rather than your preparedness is also a reason why some resolutions fail.
Consider a new challenge in the new year at BetMGM
Exploring new interests and things to do is always a good way to usher in a new year, and we’ve got a thrilling world for you to immerse yourself in. At BetMGM, you could find a new hobby or improve your gameplay by choosing from our wide selection of online casino games when you register with us.
