Written by: Tomas Svitorka, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Succeed this year by avoiding these three tempting mistakes. New Year's resolutions are a time-honored tradition for many people, a chance to set goals and make positive changes in their lives. However, for many, these resolutions quickly fall by the wayside, and before long, they find themselves back where they started. In this article, we will explore three common mistakes that people make when trying to achieve their New Year's resolutions and offer tips on how to overcome them. Whether you're looking to lose weight, save money, or improve your relationships, these mistakes can be a major obstacle to achieving your goals. By understanding and avoiding these mistakes, you'll be well on your way to making your resolutions a reality.
Mistake 1: Thinking: this time, you’ve got it.
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when it comes to New Year's resolutions is thinking that this time, they've got it. They believe that they can achieve their goals without changing their approach, but unfortunately, this is often not the case. The same challenges that have stopped them in the past will likely continue to do so unless they make a conscious effort to improve their approach.
For example, if someone has made a resolution to lose weight, but they've tried and failed multiple times before, simply deciding to eat less and exercise more is not likely to be enough. They need to take a closer look at the reasons why they've failed in the past, and make changes that will address those underlying issues. This might mean finding a new type of exercise that they enjoy, or addressing emotional eating habits that have been holding them back.
It's important to remember that simply wanting to change is not enough. To succeed, you must be willing to improve your approach and take action in a different way. It's okay to fail, but it's not okay to give up. By taking a different approach, you can achieve your goals.
Mistake 2: Keeping it secret.
Another common mistake that people make when it comes to New Year's resolutions is keeping it secret. Many people believe that "working in silence" is the key to achieving their goals, but in reality, keeping your resolutions a secret can actually make it easier to quit. Without anyone to hold you accountable, it's too easy to make excuses and let your resolve slip.
When you don't tell anyone about your goals, you don't have anyone to share your progress with or anyone to keep you motivated. Without the support and encouragement of friends and family, it can be easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. Additionally, if you don't share your resolutions with anyone, you might not have anyone to celebrate your successes with.
On the other hand, when you share your goals with others, you are more likely to stick to them. You are more likely to feel accountable and motivated. When you tell others about your goals, they can keep you on track, and support you when you're feeling down. They can also help you make a plan, and hold you accountable when you're not following through.
Sharing your goals with others can make the journey easier, more fun, and more rewarding. So, don't be afraid to share your resolutions with the people around you. You'll be surprised at how much support you'll receive.
Mistake 3: Your goals are too scary.
Another common mistake that people make when setting New Year's resolutions is setting their goals too scary. Many people believe that in order to achieve something great, they must set big, ambitious goals. While this may be true in some cases, setting your goals too high can actually be a major obstacle to achieving them.
When people set goals that are too big and unrealistic, it can quickly become obvious that they are not achievable. This can lead to feelings of discouragement and demotivation, making it even harder to make progress. Instead, your goals should be just big enough to excite you, motivate you and keep you feeling like they are achievable.
It's also important to remember that easy goals are not motivating. It's important to find the balance between setting a goal that is challenging and achievable. A goal that is too easy will not provide the sense of accomplishment or fulfillment that you're looking for, and it may not be that much motivating.
In short, it's important to set realistic and achievable goals that excite and motivate you. When you set goals that are just the right size, you'll be more likely to stay on track and make progress. Don't be afraid to think big, but make sure your goals are also realistic and achievable.
In conclusion, when setting New Year's resolutions, it's important to avoid common mistakes that can prevent you from achieving your goals. These include thinking that this time, you've got it and not changing your approach, keeping your goals a secret, and setting them too big and unrealistic. By understanding these pitfalls, you can take a more effective approach to achieving your goals. Remember to set realistic and achievable goals that excite and motivate you, share your goals with others, and be willing to improve your approach. By doing so, you'll be well on your way to making your New Year's resolutions a reality.
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Tomas Svitorka, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tomas is a peak performance coach, business mentor, speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur. He is the founder of the OK is NOT enough coaching method and the Unbreakable Self-Discipline Bootcamp. He’s highly passionate about helping ambitious professionals and entrepreneurs achieve the highest level of personal and professional performance.
Tomas has built his reputation by coaching hundreds of clients, including industry leaders, billionaire entrepreneurs, Silicon Valley CEOs, rising stars in global corporations, and influencers at the top of their game.
Tomas has been interviewed in dozens of podcasts, including The Unconventionalists, and has been featured in various publications such as The Guardian, GQ, Virgin Media, Coach Magazine, and Vice.