Whether it’s tackling debt once and for all; keeping to a healthy eating plan; beginning to exercise; or finally writing that book – it can be challenging to stick to a promise you’ve made to yourself. Research suggests that just 28% of us stick to New Year’s resolutions – and experts say that repeatedly breaking promises to yourself is bad news for self-esteem.
Traditional success strategies include breaking down our goals into bitesized chunks, and rewarding ourselves when smaller milestones are met. But now research is suggesting there is one crucial part of the picture that you need to get right before making that commitment to change: ask yourself honestly why you are doing it.
The University of Sheffield’s Abigail Parrish specialises in the psychology of change, and her research shows that what matters most – and is crucial to success – is understanding your motivations. Her research has found that there are different types of motivation; and internal motivation - without external influence from friends, family or even social media - is more likely to lead to success.
Instead, she says, focus on the reasons that come from within yourself – that you consider important and that align with your values. ‘What you’re doing doesn’t even have to be something you enjoy, as long as it’s something you feel is important to you,’ she says. Saving money is a good example – not particularly enjoyable, but if the end goal is an unforgettable trip with your children, then that will enable you to stay on track.
