Pros & Cons of New Year Resolutions

To make them not?

 Are new year's resolutions worth it or are they just a waste of time and a source of stress? We look at the pros and cons here.

The new year is here and it's that time for resolutions again. But while making positive changes in our lives can be quite rewarding, new year resolutions often burden us with more stress. 

From losing weight to quitting this and that, spending more time with loved ones and so on, there is no end to all the things we want to do better each year.

 This article weighs the most important pros and cons of new year resolutions and finishes with a tried and tested method for achieving your desires.

Pros & Cons of New Year Resolutions 

The Pros of New Year Resolutions 

New year resolutions bring us many advantages and this makes them good in many ways. Following are these major advantages. 

1. An Efficient Deadline – The new year is a very effective and efficient period to set a deadline. The old year is over and you plan to make changes in your life in the new year. It does not get simpler or better than that.
2. Encourages Self Reflection – Simply having to consider or make new year resolutions encourages introspection. You are reflecting on your life, identifying things you don't like, and trying to find a solution.
3. Clear Goals – New year resolutions help you to set clearer goals in your life, as you know exactly what you want for the new year.
4. Positive Life Changes – Constantly making new year resolutions and sticking to them will positively impact your life in the long run. No doubt about that. 

The Cons of New Year Resolutions 

New year resolutions also have their disadvantages. These major cons of making resolutions stem from the nature of the human system and our preference for sticking to old ways. 

1. Stress – Most people are already stressed in their lives. New year resolutions bring even more stress. It makes you worry about failure, about not sticking to your decision, punishments, etc.
2. Habits Are Hard to Break – Most new year resolutions focus on unwanted habits that we are trying to overcome. And as you should know, habits can be hard to break.
3. Procrastination – Change can be difficult, so most people find ways to procrastinate or shift their deadlines. They will say they still have the entire year ahead and then lose sight of the steps necessary for change. It's part of human nature and our preference to stick to the old ways.
   
   

 How to Achieve your Goals This Year 

“A goal with no plan is only a wish.”

~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 Human nature has its pitfalls, but it also has many good sides. By applying our understanding of how the body and mind work together, we can avoid most of the downsides of dealing with new year resolutions.

 In addition, we can even boost our chances of success, by simply following the tried and tested method below. 

1. Choose a goal that is achievable and will benefit you – It has to be something under your power, a process you can control. Don't be afraid to dream big though, as long as it is under your power. Dreaming big helps get you out of your comfort zone.
2. Write down your goal in detail – Yes, you have a goal, but what are its details. How exactly should things look, how much, where exactly? You need to be specific.
3. Identify the obstacles – Every goal or project will have its obstacles. Identify those hurdles now and develop solutions around them.
4. Break down the steps to achievement – Smaller goals make up the big goal. So, break down your goal into smaller steps that need to be accomplished one after the other.
5. Take the first step – And commit steady time to do whatever needs to be done. Remember that a 1000-mile journey starts with one step.
6. Never quit – Persistence is key, so you need to trust the process and stick to it.
7. Celebrate every milestone – Always treat yourself to something nice each time you complete one of the steps you outlined in #4 above. This is the great motivator that keeps you going.

Conclusion 

You have seen the pros and the cons of new year resolutions and how best to achieve them. And as you can imagine, everything in life comes with both sides.

We leave it to you to weigh these pros and cons for your situation. Then to decide what's best for yourself. 

Happy New Year!