Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work
Updated: Dec 27, 2021
Written by: Raeesa Mahomed, 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.
‘I can’t believe it’s the end of the year’
The new year is fast approaching and once again, it’s hard to believe that this year has gone by so quickly. We seem to say this every year but it really does seem that time is going by faster and faster as the years slip away. Many people also can’t believe that we’ve survived another year of COVID-19. Last year this time the feeling was that 2020 has been the worst and that it can only get better. But 2021 did not live up to that promise as COVID-19 refused to go away. Just as we all thought we’d got the better of it, Omicron reared its ugly head and plunged the world into more lockdowns, stricter regulations and travel bans.
Yep, make that resolution
But human beings are conditioned towards optimism and hope and as a new year approaches it is natural to hope for better times and new beginnings. It is natural also for many to make new year’s resolutions. The dawning of a new year not only signals the official start to a new chapter, but an opportunity to get rid of those bad habits we’ve been wanting to banish for a while, and start new, healthier ones. Like exercising more by joining a gym, going on a diet, watching one’s spending, quitting smoking etc.
But do things differently
So far so good. These are laudable goals and should be encouraged. New Year’s resolutions are made and followed diligently at first. Gyms, wellness and fitness centres get the most sign-ups in January. However, as we all know so well, this new enthusiasm and vigour start tapering off after a few weeks. Even people who do this every year and should know better (indeed are determined to break the cycle) are not able to maintain the momentum, and give up on their New Year’s resolution.
Why?
The answer is simple when one understands how our minds work. Ten percent of our mind is our conscious mind and ninety percent is our subconscious mind. This is our powerhouse and is responsible for so many functions in our body that we are not even aware of. It keeps our bodily systems going and keeps us alive. It stores our memories, emotions, beliefs, values and most importantly for this discussion, our habits and skills. When we start a new habit or learn something new, we do it with our conscious mind. Let’s take learning to drive a car for example. When we are starting, it’s very daunting. We wonder how we will master steering, changing gears, accelerating, braking, indicating and all the things that are required. It takes a lot of concentration and memorising. But after we keep doing it for a while, it becomes second nature and we do it without thinking. That is because, through repetition, that behaviour has been programmed by our conscious mind into our subconscious mind. The latter perform tasks automatically.
Keep doing it and don’t give up
When we want to change an old habit for a new one, we make a conscious decision to do so. And we start the new habit with our conscious mind, which, remember, is only ten percent of our mind. But, the old habit is being performed by our subconscious mind, which is ninety percent of our mind. What’s going to win – it’s a no brainer. The only way that we are going to replace the old habit with the new one is to continue doing it until it is programmed into our subconscious mind! The key is to not give up until that programming happens. There are differing opinions on how long that is. You have to do what works for you. Keep doing the new habit until it becomes automatic and second nature – then it will replace the old habit. Don’t give up. Repetition is key. Repetitive behaviour forms habits. Once it is programmed, it will be much easier to keep up with it.
But it’s still too hard
If it’s really difficult to continue doing something simply because it’s unpleasant or a chore or you’re trying to break an addiction like smoking, some creative effort might be required, like focusing on the outcomes and the payoff. After all, that’s why you chose to do it in the first place. Remember, humans are geared to only do something if there is a payoff, whatever it is. Make that knowledge work for you in breaking unwanted habits and making your new year’s resolutions stick.
Good luck and may 2022 be better for all of us!
Raeesa Mahomed
Transformational Life Coach
Want to learn more from Raeesa? Follow her Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and visit her website. You can also email her at info@raeesamahomed.co.za.
Raeesa Mahomed, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Raeesa Mahomed is a transformational life coach, and her tagline 'Be the best you' aptly describes the results she gets with her clients. Raeesa has helped hundreds of clients remove negative programming from the subconscious mind and take them to a place of positivity and empowerment and, in so doing create the life they want. She comes from a decades-long award-winning international career in radio, TV, and film, and her path to deep self-reflection and life coaching began when she faced a life-threatening illness a few years ago. She now also helps others heal from disease by addressing their emotional health and spirituality. She is also a writer and motivational speaker.
