People who can never stick to their New Year’s resolutions usually display these 8 behaviors

We’ve all been there. We start the new year full of ambition, with a list of resolutions we’re determined to stick to.

Yet, by February most of us are back to our old ways. Why is that?

Well, it turns out that those of us who continually fail to stick to our New Year’s resolutions usually display certain behaviors.

Understanding these behaviors can be the difference between another failed resolution and finally making that change you’ve been dreaming about.

In this article, we’re going to delve into the eight common behaviors of people who can never stick to their New Year’s resolutions.

And who knows? Maybe recognizing these behaviors in yourself will help you make your next resolution stick.

1) Procrastination

Procrastination is a common trait among many of us, and it’s especially prevalent when it comes to New Year’s resolutions.

You know the drill: January 1st rolls around and you’re filled with determination. You’re going to start that diet, hit the gym, quit smoking.

But then you tell yourself, “I’ll start tomorrow.” And suddenly, it’s February and your resolution is as forgotten as last year’s Christmas decorations.

It’s the classic case of “I’ll do it tomorrow” syndrome. And it’s the first behavior that those who can’t stick to their New Year’s resolutions exhibit.

The trick to overcoming procrastination lies in taking the first step. Start small, break your goals into manageable pieces, and most importantly – start today, not tomorrow.

Understanding this behavior is crucial to breaking the cycle of failed resolutions. If you can stop saying “I’ll do it tomorrow”, you might just find yourself sticking to your New Year’s resolution long past January.

2) Lack of a concrete plan

Allow me to share a personal story. A couple of years back, I had a New Year’s resolution to get fit. I was pumped and ready to make a change. But as the days turned into weeks, I found myself making little to no progress.

Why? Because I had no concrete plan. I’d say to myself, “I’ll exercise more,” but I didn’t specify how often or what kind of exercise. As a result, my resolution remained a vague concept rather than an actionable goal.

Those who struggle with sticking to their New Year’s resolutions often fall into the same trap. They have a great end goal in mind, but they haven’t mapped out how to get there.

Having a concrete plan is like having a roadmap for your resolution. It gives you a clear path to follow and makes it easier to measure your progress.

So if you’re serious about making your next New Year’s resolution stick, start by creating a detailed action plan.

3) Setting unrealistic goals

One of the biggest pitfalls when it comes to New Year’s resolutions is setting goals that are simply too ambitious. It’s great to aim high, but if your resolution is unrealistic, it’s doomed to fail from the start.

For instance, if you’ve never run a mile in your life, setting a resolution to run a marathon by February is setting yourself up for disappointment.

Or if you’ve never saved a penny, aiming to save half your income might not be feasible.

Those who regularly fail to stick to their New Year’s resolutions often make this mistake. They set goals that are too lofty and become discouraged when they can’t meet them.

The key is to set achievable goals that still push you out of your comfort zone. That way, you’ll feel challenged without feeling overwhelmed. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither are successful resolutions.

4) Lack of mindfulness

Here’s a behavior that I’ve noticed in people who struggle to stick to their New Year’s resolutions: a lack of mindfulness. And trust me, it’s more common than you might think.

Mindfulness is all about living in the moment, being aware of what’s happening around you and within you. It’s about understanding your actions, your motivations, and your feelings.

But often, we’re so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to stop and take stock of what we’re doing and why.

In my book, “The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment”, I delve into this topic in great detail.

I discuss how mindfulness can help us understand our behaviors and patterns, and how it can lead to meaningful change.

Those who struggle with their resolutions often do so because they’re not fully aware of their actions or the reasons behind them.

They set a resolution on New Year’s Day, but then they go about their lives without giving it much thought.

By cultivating mindfulness, you can become more aware of your behaviors and the triggers that lead you astray from your resolutions.

This awareness can be a powerful tool for change and can significantly increase your chances of sticking to your New Year’s resolutions.

5) Fear of failure

Fear of failure can be a crippling force. It’s that nagging voice in the back of your head that whispers, “What if I can’t do it?”

It’s that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you think about the possibility of not achieving your goals.

This fear can be so overwhelming that it prevents us from even starting on our resolutions. After all, if we don’t start, we can’t fail, right?

But here’s the thing: failure is not the end of the world. In fact, it’s often through our failures that we learn the most valuable lessons. Failure is just a stepping stone on the path to success.

One year, I set a resolution to write a book. The fear of failure was paralyzing. But instead of letting that fear stop me, I used it as motivation.

I pushed through, and although there were bumps along the way, the experience was invaluable.

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it fuel your determination to succeed.

6) Too much self-discipline

Wait, what? Can there really be such a thing as too much self-discipline when it comes to New Year’s resolutions? Surprisingly, yes.

While it’s important to have self-discipline to stick to your resolutions, having too much can actually work against you. This might seem counter-intuitive, but let me explain.

If you approach your resolution with an all-or-nothing mindset, any small slip-up can feel like a massive failure.

You might feel so discouraged that you decide to give up altogether. After all, if you can’t do it perfectly, why bother doing it at all?

This is a common trap that many of us fall into. We set incredibly high standards for ourselves and feel defeated when we can’t meet them.

In reality, no one is perfect, and slip-ups are a normal part of any journey. Instead of beating yourself up over small missteps, use them as opportunities to learn and grow.

When it comes to achieving your New Year’s resolutions, progress is more important than perfection.

7) Neglecting self-care

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in achieving our New Year’s resolutions that we forget to take care of ourselves in the process. This is a common behavior among those who struggle to stick to their resolutions.

Whether it’s trying to lose weight, quit smoking, or save money, we can become so focused on our goals that we neglect other aspects of our well-being. This can lead to burnout, stress, and ultimately, giving up on our resolutions.

For instance, if you’re trying to lose weight, you might become so obsessed with diet and exercise that you forget to rest and relax.

Or if you’re trying to save money, you might cut out all fun activities, leaving you feeling deprived and unhappy.

Remember, self-care is crucial for maintaining balance and well-being. It’s about treating yourself with kindness and respect.

So while you’re working on your New Year’s resolutions, don’t forget to take time for yourself. It’s not selfish—it’s necessary for your success.

8) Not believing in themselves

At the end of the day, the biggest roadblock to sticking to New Year’s resolutions is often a lack of self-belief. If you don’t believe you can achieve your goals, you’re setting yourself up for failure from the start.

Believing in yourself is the foundation of achieving any goal. It’s about knowing that you have the strength, determination, and ability to make your resolution a reality.

So before you set your next New Year’s resolution, take a moment to remind yourself that you are capable. You are strong. And most importantly, you can do this.

Final thoughts: It’s all about self-awareness

Understanding human behavior is a complex task, especially when it comes to sticking to New Year’s resolutions. However, one thing is clear: self-awareness plays a crucial role.

Those who struggle to stick to their New Year’s resolutions often display common behaviors that hinder their progress. Recognizing these behaviors in ourselves is the first step towards change.

In my book, “The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment”, I delve deeper into the importance of self-awareness and mindfulness in breaking these patterns and paving the way for positive change.

Whether it’s acknowledging your fear of failure, setting realistic goals, or remembering to prioritize self-care, awareness is key.

It’s about knowing yourself, understanding your behaviors, and making conscious decisions to break the cycle.

As we venture into another year, let’s remember that change is possible. With mindfulness, self-belief, and a bit of self-compassion, we can turn our New Year’s resolutions from forgotten promises into powerful transformations.