Why your New Year resolution might fail and what to do instead.
It’s the New Year!
You’re opening your brand new planner and getting prompted to set goals.
If you already had a few extra pounds, that belly didn’t get any smaller during the holidays and you may not like what you’re seeing in the mirror. This is a tough time for self-esteem.
Most new year resolutions have to do with living healthier… But how many make it?
Because I want you to be successful, I will cover here some of the reasons why your New year resolution could hit the wall, and what you can do instead in order to be successful.
Why 80% of resolutions fail by February.
New Year resolutions get a bad wrap. Some say they’re useless, some are all about setting up goals. I love creating a yearly vision and setting intentions to act on and I want to share some tips for you to do the same.
Yes, 80% of resolutions will fail by February. We often create big goals that are not clear enough, without thinking of a step by step way to achieve them.
It’s important to connect these goals with the deep and true motivation they need to succeed.
As a coach, I have specific tools I use in each conversation to hype up a goal with motivation. It makes a big difference for my clients, like Al, who mentioned:
“Through coaching, I became aware of what I put in my body and made some changes I could stick to, even when life happens. These changes were not so hard with Jihane’s encouragements. Talking things through and putting plans in place made it easier.”
So here is tip #1: write down your “why” for each specific goal.
Dig really deep for this why. “Feeling better” is not specific enough. Here is an example of something more specific:
“Have the energy to lead my team and connect with my spouse after work".
Instead of creating goals from our deep motivation, many of us rely on one, very limited resource to move ourselves forward: willpower.
Willpower is useful in the moment when trying to resist temptation to fall back to an old pattern. But you’re not setting yourself for success if you plan to use it every day to cut down on drinking.
Instead, you need a supportive environment.
For example, as I am preparing to fast coffee for January, I didn’t restock. Because it’s easier to resist a moment of weakness when the forbidden fruit is not available. To drop your daily beer after a work day, replace the ritual with a carbonated drink such as a soda water. Consider a kombucha for extra gut health.
When creating new behaviors, environment overrides motivation says author James Clear.
We all know the trick of the gym clothes ready to go.
Make the new habit easier to perform. To drop a bad habit, make it harder to engage in it.
Here is tip #2: create an environment that supports the new behavior.
Here are 5 tips that lead to success, from Joseph Luciani, author and psychologists,
· break down goals in smaller achievable steps,
· build self-trust with small wins,
· create small challenges for yourself,
· focus on the positive and
· develop awareness.
Tip #3: list the steps necessary to achieve each goal and focus on one at a time.
Break it down, make a plan, keep track, focus on what’s working,… This can feel overwhelming when done on your own. Like it’s one more thing to do added to your list.
A health coach partners with you to do that. These 5 tips are part of the framework I use in my coaching program Timeless.
Hack your way to success
A 2002 study found that more than half (54%) of people who decide to make some changes fail to make it last 6 months and that, on average we make the same resolution 10 times without success.
Talk about Groundhog day. That’s depressing.
But we are not doomed to fall back to older habits or stay stuck in this loop. The secret?
Accountability.
According to the American Society for talent Development (ATD) you have a:
- 25% chance to succeed if you simply decide consciously that you will do it.
- 65% chance of completing a goal if you commit to someone
- 95% chance when you have a specific appointment with a person you’re accountable to.
This is why we meet weekly when you sign up for Timeless and this is how my clients lose 12-14 Lbs in 3 months.
If you want to lose weight and keep it off, coaching is the fastest way to achieve your goals.coaching is the fastest way to achieve your goals.
Working with a health coach makes you more likely to reach and exceed your target. It will save you money, time, effort and frustration. And 10 years of new year resolutions.
How you can find the right coach for you.
What to look for.
Certification
Health coaching is a new profession in the health care landscape, with no regulatory body. There are unfortunately many people calling themselves coaches with little to no training. So I would recommend to be on the lookout for a certification, to show that someone has some credentials.
In the US, the health care system recognizes The National Board of health and wellness coaching certification (NBHWC).
This organization has approved many certificating programs. Such as the ADAPT health coach training program, that I completed in February 2021.
It is a very rigorous training with a 3-step practical skills assessment.
It uses a proven framework for conversations leading to lasting change for clients. I highly recommend finding an ADAPT-certified coach like myself. You can browse them here to find one that specializes in your health condition or health goals.
My area of expertise is in longevity: I help wealth-builders feel younger than they are. In my program, members let go of alcohol or sugar, lose weight and learn skills to manage stress.
2. Results
Find a professional to keep you accountable with a track record. Read / watch clients testimonials, customers reviews or a referral from someone you know.
Find a coach who has experience and success guiding people who have similar problems as you.
Shop around for a coach.
Many coaches offer webinars. They're a good way to get familiar with their approach and results. Use their free resources, sign up for their emails, consume their content.
It’s also common for coaches to offer a first consult for free. Why not get on a call with a few to find the right fit.
No matter who you pick, you are bound to succeed using the coach as an accountability partner. As long as they have the skills and the results, you can get out of the new year resolution loop.
To learn more about my program to lose weight, better handle stress and feel younger than you are in only 90 days, check out TIMELESS.
If you are ready to connect, I offer a free longevity assessment call. We’ll do 3 things:
Health assets audit: we’re going to look at your current habits and behaviors. It will show you your biggest blindspots AND opportunities to grow your wealth through more health
Building blocks: We’re going to look at what you are doing right now that DOES suppport your long term health. You can build on that and get a jumping point to get to the next level. You are not starting from scratch.
Create a personalized longevity blueprint: Together, we’ll create a personalized longevity plan to help you create the lifestyle that will carry you to 100 years old. We’ll talk about creating a mindfulness practice and create the balance you want
No matter what you decide to do next, you will come out of this call with more clarity.
