According to a deals.com study, 45% of all New Year's resolutions fail. We often start with great euphoria when we set our minds to something. That helps us through the first strenuous days. But we quickly get into deep frustration because we see too little progress and break off too often. Let's imagine, for example, that we want to start doing more sports again. That's also the top wish of 44% of the population ;) Then it's always the same: It often looks like this curve. Let's take a look at it in detail:
High expectations and big goals lead to deep frustration and the danger of not persevering and abandoning the project.
1. At the beginning, we are highly motivated. We are in the so-called "honeymoon phase".
It lasts for a few days or even weeks. When the initial euphoria is gone, it usually gets exhausting. You are still waiting to see real progress.
2. Then comes the "frustration phase". Depending on how far you venture out of your comfort or habit zone, the phase of frustration can be long and very deep. Initially, you trade motivation for effort. You always have to pull yourself together to go to the gym. Only pure willpower usually helps here. Or a very bad conscience ;) This phase is critical. And more often than one likes to admit, you catch yourself with "good" excuses as to why it doesn't fit so well today... And besides, the hoped-for effects didn't materialize as planned! Far more than half of all projects fail in this phase, which is often also because you took on too much.
3. Because then we come to the "tipping point". The perceived exertion decreases, and motivation increases. You see the first results, and even others talk to you about it! This provides a boost in motivation, and the perceived exertion decreases. Now there's no need to find excuses not to exercise.
4. Once we get past the tipping point, we don't find it difficult at all to exercise. A conscious dialogue, "Do I go to the sport or do I have something more important?" with an active decision becomes an unconscious action that gradually becomes "routine". Then we did it!
But does everything have to be so complicated?
Yes and no.
Yes, if something is hard, then it stays hard. For example, if you want to build many muscles or lose weight. Then there will be no softened solution.
No, it doesn't have to be that difficult if there are to be minor changes.
Less frustration and less time make integrating new habits into everyday life easier.
Then the euphoria is a little less at the beginning, but so is the frustration.
This is precisely where the trick lies: do everything less extreme. No big goals, less frustration, and making it a daily routine is much easier. And overall you need much less time!
All methods in the CHANGE JOURNAL are prepared so you can try them out quickly. Instead of reading entire books, I have summarized the most important things for you. You only need a few minutes a day!
The entry hurdle can hardly be smaller, making it much easier to start. And with the templates, you can practice every day. And before you know it, it'll quickly become a new habit!
Let's go then! Go and have fun ;)