It is that time of the year when phrases like “new year, new me” are common due to the New Year resolutions people set. These resolutions typically involve both short-term and long-term goals one would like to achieve. By now, a serious person should have already sat down and come up with these goals. If you haven’t done so yet, it’s never too late to give it a try.
However, according to Ruth Gotian, Ed.D., an associate professor of education at Weill Cornell Medicine, a staggering 92 percent of people never achieve their goals. She cites her source of information from a research study by JC Norcross titled ”The Resolution Solution: Longitudinal Examination of New Year’s Change Attempts.”
As a result, the 92 percent is not a figure born out of assumption, but one backed by research. The study observed 200 New Year’s resolvers over two years, aiming to understand if they would achieve the goals they had set for the new year. The results showed that many gave up along the way, with only a few persevering until the end.
How the 8 Percent Achieved Their New Year Resolutions
A number of people are often more interested in the “how” of success rather than the “why” of failure. Therefore, let us look at how the 8 percent managed to defy the odds and achieve their New Year resolutions. Perhaps you can borrow one or two strategies from them to bring your own dreams and goals to fruition.
Set Clear Goals: Instead of vague statements like “This year, I should have more wins,” be specific with your goals. More wins in what? Education, relationships, connections—whatever it is, be clear. Once the goal is clear, the path toward achieving it becomes clearer too.
One Step at a Time: Have you ever tried to force a big lump of food down your throat? It will either result in choking or discomfort. The same applies to your goals. Despite how big and challenging the goal may be, break it down. Remember the old adage: “One by one makes a bundle.” Take baby steps toward your big goal.
Be Flexible: The most dangerous people on Earth are those who are rigid and conservative. Life is an evolving journey. At some point, situations will change. When this happens, don’t change the goal; change the approach to achieving it. Adjust as needed.
Persist Through It All: Persistence involves having patience and enduring the journey, knowing that you are not far from reaching your goal. The 92 percent may have done all of the above, but without persistence and patience, they likely would have failed. “The pot will surely break at the doorway” if one lacks perseverance.
In Conclusion
In everything you do, put God first. Though JC Norcross’s research doesn’t mention God, it is perhaps obvious that God should be number one in everything we do. To avoid misleading some overly zealous believers with too much faith and too few actions, remember: Pray, work, put in the effort, and leave the rest to God.
Happy 2025 to you all!