I started one of my 2020 New Year's Resolutions today. Why? Because there are 21 days left of this month, and it takes 21 days to form a habit. If you start today, by the time you reach January 1st, you will have already put three weeks in on your goal.
Studies show only 8 percent of people achieve their goals set on day one of the new year. Most don't make it to day 31.
Believe it or not, January 12th is the day most people give up on their New Year's goals. That is not even two weeks. But, studies also show that people often make similar resolutions whether they were successful or not in prior years..
So, maybe starting today is a better plan to ensure success. Just start on your resolutions now and keep quiet about it. Once you're three weeks in, you can make your New Year's Resolutions public with confidence that you will achieve them.
According to Inc. magazine, the most common resolutions made by women were about health and for men it was about employment.
Here are the top 10 New Year's resolutions made for 2019/according to a survey of 2,000 people:
1. Diet or eat healthier (71 percent)
2. Exercise more (65 percent)
3. Lose weight (54 percent)
4. Save more and spend less (32 percent)
5. Learn a new skill or hobby (26 percent)
6. Quit smoking (21 percent)
7. Read more (17 percent)
8. Find another job (16 percent)
9. Drink less alcohol (15 percent)
10. Spend more time with family and friends (13 percent)
I'm glad reading more is still making the list. But, it doesn't matter what your goal is, if you are serious about change, you have to begin finding your resolve now. The mind and body do not like change, and old habits are the hardest to break.
Most of your old habits are not going to go softly into that good New Year's Eve night.
You may have to start pushing now to give yourself a head start. You may have to make Dec. 7th your Resolution start line to increase your chances of success.
Good luck!
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