Write a commentThe second Friday of January is often referred to as Quitter’s Day.
Quitter’s Day came about because millions of people with great intentions to change themselves for the better, just quit. In fact, some studies say 40% of people quit their resolutions while others say it is a whopping 80%. According to a study published by the University of Scranton, only 8% of Americans keep their New Year’s resolution at all. Then on the following New Years, we start the vicious cycle all over again often with the same resolution and the same results. Why can’t we finish what we started? Why are we a bunch of quitters?
The European Journal of Social Psychology states that it takes at least 66 days and as many as 254 days to make a new habit automatic. It also takes the same amount of time to break a habit. Being who we are, are we just giving up too quickly? People like to see instant results and when we don’t; we equate that with, we can’t, and that is simply not true. We can, we can, we can. That is the mindset of most successful people - “I can do that.” The hare ran fast and furious towards the finish line, way ahead of the tortoise, but that did not stop him. He kept going and won the race. We can do that too.
Let’s get motivated and stay motivated. One way to do this is to revise your goals. Take a moment and reevaluate your resolution. If you want to lose 50 pounds, maybe take it down to 20. That way you can celebrate a 2-pound loss with a ‘10% of my goal has been reached’ party. Yeah, celebrate those wins. Nothing better than getting a celebrated win!
Get an accountability partner. Another person to help encourage you is a gift, but a bigger gift is helping someone with your same goals. When you encourage another person, not only do you help them, but you also help you. Inside yourself you know what it takes to keep you on track, and you get to say those words aloud to another person to help them. Speaking words of encouragement and hearing words of encouragement embedded within you can give you an awareness of why you made the resolution in the first place.
Using the technology that is available to you can keep you on track. Fitness watches and anxiety watches can help you remain calm and on track. Apps for everything else can be downloaded to a phone to track progress from writing and reading goals, cooking and healthy eating goals, and money saving accountability. Whatever your resolution is, there is an app for that. A lot of apps are free, too. Use them.
Write down those resolutions and put them where you will bump into them-on the fridge, a bathroom mirror, car dashboard, wherever you happen to need to read them. Set a timer to remember to focus on that resolution. These are a quick and easy way to encourage yourself.
Change your mindset. Instead of taking something away, give yourself something. Ultimately, I would like to get rid of some of the sugary drinks in my diet. Instead, I am giving myself a new water bottle with a quirky saying on it. May need more quirky sayings for the feeling of the day, but you get it. Instead of going to the gym, take your family on a hike, ice skating, snow shoeing, etc. The possibilities for exercise that does not seem like exercise are endless.
Join a club. Oswego county has so many clubs. Reading clubs, theater clubs, gardening clubs, crafters clubs, run clubs, and the list goes on. Whatever your resolution is, there is most likely a club to help you achieve it. Our events calendar could help you find the right club for you.
My point is, don’t quit just because it is easier to do. Take a chance on yourself with real change in your life. Let’s quit Quitter’s Day altogether! Let’s make it a day of success and refocus on the things that really matter to us. Let our focus be the 8% that achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Let’s keep 2025 in our hands the whole year.
