University of Cumbria psychology lecturer offers tips on making 'sensible' New Year's resolutions

12:00pm Sunday 30th December 2012 in News

IT’S the time of year when most of us decide to make some changes in our life by setting ourselves New Year’s resolutions. Stopping smoking or drinking, getting down to the gym more often or maybe just spending more time with friends or loved ones. While we all start January with good intentions, how hard is it to keep our New Year's resolutions? Dr Mark Hoelterhoff, senior lecturer in applied psychology at the University of Cumbria, offers some advice on making sensible resolutions and sticking to them throughout 2013.

What’s the purpose?

“In order to make resolutions stick, you need to ask an important existential question of yourself. What is my purpose in life? Picking resolutions that are superficial or incongruent to your values are not likely to last. New Year is a time to reflect on meaningful questions and provide us with an opportunity to act on them. In other words, choose ones that reflect your life and not the life of another person.”

Know your situation

“We all have lofty goals and aspirations. It would be great to look like a cover model or play as well as an athlete. However, you need to remember that your life may not have room for the kind of schedule you'd need to achieve those lofty results. How much time can you honestly put into achieving a goal? Consider time the way you do money and budget it accordingly.”

Start small

“Making over-exuberant declarations of life-altering intent can leave your self-esteem in a worse place than it started. Resolutions are really promises to yourself. Breaking a promise destroys trust; when you make a promise to yourself and don’t fulfil it you begin to develop a sense of incompetence. No matter how passionate or committed you are, if you have a track record of not fulfilling your promises that’s how you'll be seen by both yourself and others.”

Never walk alone

“Knowing when to ask for help is crucial. Do you need the support of friends and family? Perhaps you need to seek help from a support group or professional. People are more likely to succeed when they are on a team. Gather people around you that will help you achieve your goals.”

Give yourself grace

“Many diets fail because people have a bad day of eating and figure they've blown it. So why bother trying again? If you have an ‘all or nothing’ attitude about resolutions, you will probably fail. Celebrate small victories and keep trying. Perseverance makes the difference and failures are opportunities to learn how to do it right. However, if you see failure as a ‘sign’ it will never happen, then it probably won't!”

For more information visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/newstart

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