What prevents you from sticking to your New Year's resolution?

NYR Filipino

We delve into the common hurdles individuals encounter while striving to maintain a New Year's resolution. Drawing from personal experiences and insights, we uncover the pressures, commitment issues, and unrealistic expectations that frequently hinder the achievement of these goals.


Key Points
  • Saving money has moved up the list of top New Year's resolutions for Australians this year, according to a new survey.
  • Maintaining motivation becomes an uphill battle, leading to a lack of consistency in following through with our goals.
  • Strategies suggested include focusing on incremental changes, incorporating healthier alternatives, and creating supportive environments to achieve goals.
At the start of 2024, many individuals aimed to make changes in their lives as part of their New Year's resolutions. But guess what? Sticking to those resolutions isn't always a walk in the park!

La Trobe University positive psychology researcher Ros Ben-Moshe suggests that setting overly ambitious New Year's resolutions often leads to higher failure rates. In a statement to SBS News, he said approximately 50% of adults make resolutions, but about 80% of these fail by Valentine's Day.

We talked to a diverse group of friends about why they sometimes can't keep up with their goals. They told us a few reasons.

Mannix Lizardo, a social media influencer and entrepreneur expressed his goal to lose weight and eat healthier this year. However, he finds it challenging to stick to healthy eating because everyone in his household prefers rice and snacks that aren't good for his health goals. In Filipino households, rice is a significant part of meals, making it difficult for Mannix to avoid.

Sherlyn Solomon, an event producer, mentioned that while she initially feels excited in bringing change to every aspect of her life, sustaining that motivation becomes tough.

Zhel Austria, a restaurant manager, highlighted the pressure individuals feel from friends, family, or societal expectations. She mentions how people often feel compelled to make immediate, significant changes, which can be tough to sustain.

Sydney-based education consultant, Cherry Manuel, also noted that she sometimes sets goals that are too difficult to achieve.

To overcome these challenges, Cherry learned to shift her approach to New Year's goals. Instead of aiming for drastic changes, she emphasized starting small and progressing gradually. Celebrating small victories helped boost morale and kept her motivated.

NYR Filipino

Saving money emerged as a major goal for many individuals this year, according to a survey of comparison website Compare the Market. However, it isn't easy for anyone.

Gee Magno, admits being a shopaholic and has found it difficult to resist purchasing items both in shops and online. Her goal for this year is to minimize spending and curb impulsive buying habits.

Her good friend, Marilie Harisson, a customer care specialist, also shared her struggle in keeping track of her spending over the past year. While determined to save up this year, the frequent social gatherings and community events present a significant challenge to their savings goal.

Celebrity bodyguard Joe Magno finds it challenging to manage a budget due to the unpredictable nature of business profit and cash flow.

In facing these challenges, the group discovered various strategies and approaches to stay committed to their New Year's resolutions.

1. Rather than trying to revolutionize every aspect of your life at once, choose to focus on one or two areas at a time. This approach allowed you to maintain motivation and energy for sustained progress.

2. Incorporate healthier alternatives into shared meals to gradually reduce the intake of less nutritious options.

3. Acknowledge that change takes time and emphasized the significance of progress over perfection.

4. Sought support from friends, informing them about your health and savings goal to help create an environment conducive to your objectives.

5. Implement a budget and set limits on discretionary expenses during social events.

6. Also, it's important to remember that it's okay to take your time. Saving money is a journey, not a race. Every little bit saved counts, even if it's not a lot.


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