Why New Year's Resolutions Don't Work and How to Supercharge!

Have you set New Year's resolutions in past years just to find out that by mid-February the inconsistency was so obvious that you gave up? Did you analyze why you couldn't keep it up?

Most common mistakes and solutions to supercharge in 2021:

1. No Personal Connection

Often times resolutions lack a foundation of meaning and personal relevance. If something sounds good to start because other people do it too, you might get an initial burst of motivation that gets you started, but that never lasts.

Supercharge: Know Your Why

Write down your top 3 goals. For each goal write down why it is important to you to reach it. Think of how reaching the goal will make you feel and why it is meaningful to you. Start with the goal that means the most to you and you know that the outcome will make you feel different.

Note: If you have a hard time finding the answers then maybe the goal is not the right one for you at this time.

2.  You didn't plan

Most people have the end goal in mind but do not plan realistically how to achieve it. Did your New Year's resolution fit in your day, your calendar, and your lifestyle? Did you plan it in appropriate chunks?

Best example is "working out". If you have not worked out on a regular basis and then start immediately with 4-5x/week, 1-2hrs each  - because that's what you use to do years ago - your body will more likely not recover well enough. Your schedule may not allow this amount of time dedicated to workout and you start neglecting other areas of life.

Supercharge: Plan and Start Small

Plan and start with less volume! Slowly integrate the new habit into your schedule. After a few weeks increase the length and/or frequency.

Example: Start with working out 20min 2-3x/week. After 3 weeks increase to 3-4x/week with 30min-40min each.

3. Lack of Accountability

If you are starting your resolution without any accountability then it is much harder to sustain. The brain always likes to choose the path of least amount of energy burned. Making a change requires extra energy from the brain. Accountability can help you to save energy.

Supercharge: Celebration

Accountability can be in form of an accountability partner or a tracking system. It can be as simple as tracking and checking off your accomplishment in your planner or phone. I use my Garmin Watch to track my workouts. Key is to celebrate your small wins. Celebrate at the end of the day/week the times that you stayed on track. Celebrate with your partner by sending an encouraging note.

Don't beat yourself up, if you missed a time or two. Analyze, reflect and adjust for the next week.

Supercharge 2021!