Uticopa Blog

As Big Ben made its first chimes in the icy chill that heralded the New Year, many were those who decided to make a new year's resolution for the first time in their lives. After all the economic disasters of last year, it was perhaps inevitable there would be a collective inner wish for a better life in 2009. But are our resolutions doomed to failure as soon as life intrudes? Furthermore, do men make different New Year resolutions from women, and what can we learn from psychologists on how to sustain our inner pledges?

Prof Richard Wiseman, an eminent psychologist from the University of Hertfordshire, found that in smokers, only 12 per cent were successful in their resolution to stub out their last cigarette. Of those pledging to lose weight, only 28 per cent succeeded in avoiding the temptation to continue their largely sedentary habits.

To achieve success, men and women must follow different rules. Men are significantly more likely to succeed if asked to set a goal for themselves: for example, instead of trying to lose weight, focus on a measure of success, such as becoming more attractive to women.

Women are more successful after telling others about their resolution. For both sexes, this personal goal-orientation proved significant. An extra 22 per cent of men achieved their resolution when they set goals, while women were about 10 per cent more likely to succeed when they were encouraged to persist in the face of setbacks.

General tips for success

• Make only one resolution. The chances of success are greater when people channel their energy into changing just one aspect of their behaviour.
• Plan ahead. Don't wait until New Year's Eve to make a spur of the moment resolution. Instead, take some time to reflect upon what you really want to achieve.
• Avoid repeating previous resolutions, which can set you up for frustration and disappointment. Choose something new, or approach an old problem in a new way.
• Be specific. Think through exactly what you are going to do, where you are going to do it, and at what time. Vague plans fail.
• Make it personal. Think about what you really want out of life, such as finishing that novel, or learning to play an instrument, rather than just losing weight and getting to the gym.

Tips for women

• Go public. Women who keep their New Year's resolution private make it too easy to forget. Write down your resolution on a large sheet of paper, sign it, and place it somewhere prominent in your house. Ask others to provide you with helpful nudges to assist you in achieving your goal.
• Be persistent. New habits take time to learn, and once in a while you will slip up. People on diets might suddenly give in to temptation, or those trying to exercise more might not find the time to go to the gym for a week.
• Remember that everyone messes up from time to time. Don't blame yourself if you falter, or allow the experience to make you give up.

Tips for men

• Focus on creating goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based (SMART), says Prof Wiseman. For example, instead of thinking ‘I want to find a new job' focus on small things such as rewriting your CV and then applying for one new job every few weeks.
• Focus on how much better life will be for you, and those around you, when you achieve your resolution.

The lessons we can all learn from his work are fundamental.  Tell yourself you will not sink into depression, how ever hard your own life becomes.  Improvement is possible by making simple positive steps.  New year resolutions evolved in the first place by earmarking a particular day to make those essential changes in life, but any day will do.  Just choose your day and make a start. 

And remember: there are other people with much greater problems than our own. What was it President-elect Obama said to the question of whether we can change?  YES WE CAN!