Why 92% of New Year's Resolutions Fail and How to Buck That Trend

The clock strikes midnight on December 31st, champagne glass in hand, and your heart swells with determination. This year will be different. This year you'll stick to those resolutions. Sound familiar?

Most resolution-graveyards are pretty crowded because most people aren’t able to make resolutions stick. That gym membership card gathering dust, the meditation app still showing "Day 1," the untouched savings plan. A staggering 92% of us watch our shiny New Year promises fade into forgotten dreams before the year ends.

However, while most of us stumble, a small group of people actually turn their resolutions into reality. Let's peek inside the minds of both the resolution-breakers and keepers to uncover what really makes the difference between failure and success.

The Psychology Behind Resolution Failure

The sad news is that most year-end resolutions fall on their face by mid-February. Failure isn't about lacking will power, your brain is playing a complex game which often sabotages big changes.

• Present Bias: Your brain is wired to grab immediate rewards, making long-term goals feel like distant dreams. Think of it like a toddler who'd rather have one cookie now than three cookies tomorrow.
• Optimism Bias: When we desire some type of change, there is a strong tendency to think this time will be different.
• Perfectionism Trap: Setting the bar so high that one tiny slip-up feels like total failure

Another major factor contributing to failure are vague, wishy-washy resolutions. Commitments like "I want to be healthier" sounds nice, but what does that actually mean? Without clear markers of success, you're basically trying to hit a moving target in the dark. Here's another curveball - the timing of resolutions couldn't be worse. Picture trying to rewire your habits while your body's still recovering from holiday chaos and fighting winter blues. Add multiple resolutions to this mix, and your poor brain goes into complete overwhelm mode.

But don't toss your resolution list just yet. Understanding these mental roadblocks isn't about accepting defeat - it's about getting smarter with your strategy. Think of it as having a map of the minefield before you start walking through it. 

Understanding the Science of New Habit Formation

It’s important to know that science shows it takes 66 days - not the magical 21 days we've heard about - for a new habit to stick. That's right, over two months of consistent practice before your brain gets with the program.

Think of your brain as a creature of habit, following what scientists call the habit loop. The habit loop involves 3 elements; cue → routine → reward. Every behaviour is a loop that follows those three elements and the more this loop is used, the more solidified that particular habit becomes. With new habits, the reward can be a long way in the future so the loop is incomplete and that makes new habits difficult to sustain.

Furthermore, when life gets chaotic, your brain scrambles back to its old comfort zone - New habits? Not today, thanks! That's exactly why those resolutions start crumbling when work deadlines pile up.

What Successful Resolution-Keepers Do Differently

In order to make changes that last, it’s important to plan them for maximum success

• Make sure you don’t set vague goals. It’s important to build specific actions, steps and goals. This helps you know what you are working towards, each step necessary and what it looks like when you meet your goal.
• Turn mountains into molehills by breaking down big goals. Huge goals are extremely hard to achieve. Set goals that are reasonable and achievable. Once you achieve a small goal, you can set another goal to keep moving forward for big successes over time.
• Track progress like scientists studying their favorite experiment. Keep a journal of your plan and your movements along the path. This allows you to see where you’re at, what you’ve achieved and keep on track.
• Tackle one change at a time - no multitasking allowed. Don’t decide to give up smoking, get fit, and learn a language all at the same time. Expecting multiple changes simultaneously isn’t realistic and normally doesn’t succeed. Choose one goal and be focused.
• Also try to weave new habits into existing daily rhythms. For example, if your goal is more daily exercise, and your normal evening involves an hour of Netflix, then watch that hour of Netflix while riding a stationary bike.  Just make a personal rule that you don’t watch unless you’re on the bike.
• It also helps to build new mantras for yourself. Stop saying "I want to be…" and start saying "I am…" It's like method acting you way into your new life.

And remember, morning habits tend to stick better. Your willpower tank is fullest at dawn, before the day's demands drain it dry. Want better odds at keeping those resolutions? The early bird might have the right idea.

So, when striving to join the 8% of resolution champions, let’s remember your resolution journey isn't about flawless execution - it's about showing up, day after day, even when it's messy.  Also remember that falling off the wagon is almost inevitable, but don’t let that be where things end.  Make sure you accept stumbles and get back on track.