The Psychology of New Year’s Resolutions, submitted by Vince Reardon, motivational speaker, corporate trainer, and noted author
New Year’s resolutions are as fleeting as snowflakes on a sunny day. Recent studies suggest that 50 percent of Americans make one or more resolutions each New Year’s, but 60 percent break them within six months.
How can you remain true to your New Year’s resolutions? Psychologist Robert Maurer, Ph.D., the author of “One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way,” says the brain is programmed to resist change. It’s designed to trigger fear responses whenever we face a new challenge, opportunity or desire.
When the challenge is, say, a New Year’s resolution, the amygdala, which is that part of the brain involved in decision- making and emotional reactions, alerts parts of the body to prepare for action. Maurer said access to the cortex, the thinking part of the brain, is restricted and may even shut down.
But if you practice kaizen, the Japanese technique of achieving success through small, steady steps, Maurer says you will be far more successful in following through on New Year’s resolutions. By taking small steps you tiptoe around the amygdala and never set off its fight or flight response.
For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds in the New Year, Maurer would recommend you lower that number to one pound in the next month. If you want to learn a foreign language, learn one new word a day instead of 25 or 50. If you want to spend less money, cut out one small expense each day.
Maurer says the steps you take through Kaizen are so small you can’t fail, and one small success leads to another until you’ve made significant change.
If you relapse, Maurer says don’t get discouraged and quit. Research shows that people who hold onto their New Year’s resolutions for more than two years relapse from time to time. So if you slip, get up, dust yourself off, and get back to your resolutions.
Vince Reardon is the author of The Pocket Mentor: Insider Tips from America’s Most Successful People and a University City resident.
UC Scene: New Year’s Resolutions; as shared with Jemma Samala
Egan Lohman
Egan Lohman – “Do a freestanding handstand for 15 seconds by the end of the year.” As part of an Illumina company department competition.
Amy Magnussen and Gigi Esguerra
Amy Magnussen “Be more balanced.”
Gigi Esguerra “Take a risk.”
Karen and John Bryan
Karen and John Bryan “Help promote World Peace.” The Bryan’s plan on taking a local church group to Uganda in helping with this resolution.
UC residents, Karen Bryan is a teacher at Spreckels, and Dr. John Bryan is a management consultant who has written several books on leadership.
Shelly Reddish and Cindy Waldichuk
Shelly Reddish “Not saying that I’m going to lose weight.”
Cindy Waldichuk “Not stress about the little things and look at the big picture.”
Tom Hekman
Tom Hekman “I’m happy when I wake up on the right side of the grass.”
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New Year’s resolutions are as fleeting as snowflakes on a sunny day. Recent studies suggest that 50 percent of Americans make one or more resolutions each New Year’s, but 60 percent break them within six months.
