261. The psychology of new years resolutions (BONUS)
Dec 29, 2024
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Explore the psychology behind New Year's resolutions and why we make them. Discover the common barriers to success and strategies to overcome them, such as self-efficacy and realistic goal-setting. Delve into the historical roots of these traditions, tracing them back to ancient Babylon. Learn how gratitude and community play a role in motivation throughout the year. It's a fascinating discussion on how to navigate the challenges of personal goals and sustain motivation for lasting change.
The tradition of New Year's resolutions dates back to ancient Babylon as a time for self-reflection and goal-setting.
Success in achieving New Year's resolutions is largely influenced by self-efficacy and the importance of setting realistic, achievable goals.
Deep dives
The Generosity of Subaru's Holiday Event
During the holiday season, Subaru hosts the Share the Love event, encouraging customers to contribute to charity through their car purchases. For each new Subaru bought or leased, a minimum donation of $300 is made to various charitable organizations, demonstrating a commitment to giving back. Over the past 17 years, this initiative has amassed nearly $320 million in donations to both national and local charities. This act of love resonates with buyers, making their purchase not just a vehicle acquisition but also a meaningful contribution to community welfare.
The Origins and Psychology of New Year's Resolutions
The concept of New Year's resolutions can be traced back to ancient Babylonian traditions, where promises were made to the gods for good favor in the upcoming year. This tradition has evolved, and the beginning of the year now serves as a significant period for self-reflection and goal-setting, symbolizing new beginnings. The excitement of marking the new year encourages individuals to evaluate their lives and identify areas for improvement, motivating them to set resolutions. Such resolutions often reflect our innate desire for self-improvement and personal growth as we look forward to the year ahead.
Factors Influencing Resolution Success
Several psychological concepts play a crucial role in determining the success of New Year's resolutions, including personal development and self-efficacy. Personal development focuses on self-awareness and the drive to improve oneself, whereas self-efficacy refers to the belief in one's ability to achieve specific goals. Research indicates that individuals with higher self-efficacy are more resilient in overcoming obstacles and remain committed to their resolutions. Setting realistic and achievable goals is essential, as it fosters a sense of progress and accountability, ultimately increasing the likelihood of success.
Common Pitfalls and Pathways to Achieving Resolutions
Many New Year's resolutions fail within weeks due to a lack of planning and the challenge of integrating new behaviors into established habits. The excitement of New Year can lead to unrealistic expectations, resulting in disillusionment when tasks become repetitive or challenging. Key strategies for success include setting smaller, achievable goals, seeking support from a community, and tracking progress to maintain motivation. By approaching resolutions with honesty and adjusting expectations, individuals can foster a more sustainable commitment to their personal goals throughout the year.
This week we bring back an episode from 2022 on the psychology of New Years resolutions, the significance of the new year for making goals and promises to ourselves, why we set New Years resolutions, the typical reasons we tend to fail and how to be successful. We explore self efficacy, personal development theory and the psychology behind failure to understand how we can achieve our 2025 goals. Happy listening!
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.