Nailing your New Year Resolutions -By Olateju Oluwatosin Rildwan

The year 2021 officially starts on Friday here in Nigeria, congratulations you made it here, the emotions are high with the festivities ushering in the New Year. With new years come new resolutions, we all have one or two habit(s) we want to cast aside like an old garment and replace it with new ones.

Studies reflect that only 8% of New Year resolutions are lived, the rest 92% don’t survive the first few months, here’s why the ballyhoos and pressures around the New Year are so overwhelming which made us lose focus on the pros and cons of our new way of life. 

  Also, people are not internally driven, the majority of people blame their lack of willpower for their failures but the truth is wrong timing and motivation are the reason why most New Year Resolutions fail.

  A moment comes for everyone when the consequences of their actions or inactions are so intolerable that change becomes necessary until that moment arrives, Resolutions won’t produce any result, why? Because they have no intrinsic bearing other than the days of life ( calendar). Until you realize what you want to change as a problem, you are less likely to get off the launching pad and leap into action.

  Be Specific in your resolution statement, Most people are not specific in their resolution, resolutions like I want to save more money, I want to read more books, are not well defined. Statements like I want to save a hundred bucks a week or I want to read 3 books monthly are more specific. write your resolutions in an unambiguous, precise and crisp style is easier to visualize and act out.

Start unhurriedly a one step at a time approach will do you more good, great things like Rome, took time to build. Quit the I want it all at once and now mentality. Small changes stick better if applied correctly, start with the easy ones. Remember, slow and steady win the race, it’s not easy, if it is simple, everyone would do it.

  Know your why most people know that they are doing but not why they are doing it, you must know why you are what you’re doing because when the going gets tough and you feel like resigning, it is your ”Why” that would give you the courage and motivation to forge ahead.

     Be Accountable part of being accountable is finding an accountability partner – someone who helps another person keep a commitment. They hold you accountable to your goals, feelings of motivation can be fleeting – only last for a few days, to stay grounded to your commitments, you need someone to hold you accountable. Also, there’s a greater chance of accomplishment if someone other than yourself knows what you want to achieve.

Now go all out and smash your resolutions for this year,

Wishing you a prosperous New Year, sending love and lights your way.

Peace ✌️ .

Olateju Oluwatosin Rildwan is a student at the University of Ibadan, psychology Department.

You can reach him via henny4syne@gmail.com or 08102281060 on WhatsApp.