New Year's Resolution Check in...

Did you know…..
Researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make New Years Resolutions complete them. A staggering 23% are shown to quit by week 1 while 43% drop them by the end of January.
Among the most popular of Resolutions:

• Improved Fitness/Health - 48%
  
• Improved Finances - 38%
  
• Improved Mental Health - 36%
  

It’s hard to say the reasons these resolution-ers fall short. I’m certain a lot of different factors come in to play and i’d never presume to be able to tell someone else’s story.
What I will share with you are reasons that I have fallen short in the past when i’ve set goals and how I now combat those reasons.
First - I bite off more than I can chew.
Yep. Classic right? We get so sick of our current state, whatever it is (health/fitness, poorly managed finances, struggling relationships, etc.) that we get absolutely desperate to immediately achieve our end goal.
What happens when we dive in to the deep end when we don’t know how to swim? We drown.
Another reason I fall short - I get insanely critical of myself for each and every road block along the way. I don’t allow myself to be “messy”. I expect perfection.
This thought process does not serve us. It only leads to guilt, shame, and eventually - giving up.
How do I get past these? There’s really no secret sauce. I’m just as human as everyone else. One day I crush it, the next I want to crawl in to a hole.
Instead of focusing on perfection or a fast track to my end goal - I allow myself to improve just 1% each day.
I’m sure you’ve heard of this method. It’s used by many in varying fields, and for good reason.
With the 1% method - by the end of a year you’re 365% better. 365% closer to your goals/or have surpassed them and made new ones.
Without it - with the all or nothing approach - you’ve likely given up by week 2 and feel like absolute trash about it.
Which is better?
I encourage you - allow yourself to get messy in whatever process you’re in. That’s how we learn. That’s how we grow. That’s how we humanize ourselves and build community with others around us that see us and are facing similar giants.