I was talking with several relatives on New Year’s Day about my New Year’s resolutions and from their reaction, I guess my list seemed over the top. Since I like adventurous activities, which includes wall climbing, a few of them suggested that I try to keep my feet firmly on the ground. One family member explained to me that if my goals are not realistic, I may end up celebrating “Quitters Day,” along with a couple of broken bones!
I never heard of “Quitters Day” until it was mentioned to me but it’s a real day and this year it is celebrated on Friday, January 10th. When I use the word, “celebrate,” it’s probably more like a day of mourning because that’s when you decide to give up on your New Year’s resolutions. Apparently, research has shown that by the second Friday of January, a significant portion of individuals who make New Year’s resolutions, end up quitting them.
I guess for some people, quitting (or maybe postponing) one’s resolutions can evoke either negative, positive, or neutral emotions. For example:
Negative Emotions
- People may feel disappointed in themselves for not sticking to their goals.
- They might feel annoyed at their lack of progress or perceived self-discipline.
- Some could feel disheartened, thinking they’ll never achieve what they set out to do.
Positive or Neutral Emotions
- Giving up on unrealistic or overly demanding goals can feel liberating.
- Reflecting and acknowledging that it’s okay to reprioritize or adjust goals.
- Seeing it as an opportunity to laugh at their shortcomings and start afresh.
Constructive Outlook
- Using Quitter’s Day as a reset button to revisit their goals with a better strategy.
- Learning opportunity in which failure is part of growth and not the end of the journey.
To avoid participating in Quitter’s Day, maintaining and succeeding with New Year’s resolutions often requires a combination of setting realistic goals, a little strategic planning, and consistent motivation.
Start by setting SMART goals. These are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. In other words, rather than setting a goal of “exercising more,” try “walking for 30 minutes, five days a week.” In addition, breaking up big goals into smaller, actionable steps makes them less overwhelming and easier to achieve. Furthermore, acknowledging small wins along the way will help you to stay motivated and maintain momentum.
Accountability and support are also important factors in sticking to resolutions. If you share your goals with a friend, family member, or support group, and check in regularly to discuss your progress, it will help to keep you on track. Using tools like habit trackers, apps, or journals can also help you visualize your achievements and identify areas that need improvement. When setbacks occur — and they inevitably will — don’t beat yourself up. Instead, take a deep breath, reflect on what went wrong, and adjust your approach if needed. The main idea is to keep moving forward.
Finally, integrating your resolutions into your daily routine can make them more sustainable. Pairing new habits with existing ones, like meditating for five minutes after brushing your teeth, can make them easier to remember and adopt.
In my case, I’ve taken wall climbing off my list of New Year’s resolutions and have signed up for Pickle Ball three times a week. At my age, I think keeping both feet on “terra firma” will allow me to succeed at this activity safely while getting some great exercise.
Your thoughts and comments (nseiverd@cmiweb.com) are most welcome!
Nancy Seiverd, President
CMI Credit Mediators, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Image by freepik.com
