In kickstarting 2023, Radio Veritas (The Flagship Catholic Radio Station in the Philippines) just recently released its latest nationwide survey. This Survey initiated by Radio Veritas uses a stratified random sample of 1,200 respondents nationwide for a +/- 3% margin of error (gathered through a text-based and online data gathering process from an existing database of previous face-to-face on-ground interviews) the survey was indicative of the respondents’ success rate in accomplishing their new year’s resolution, inclusive of the dates covering December 1–29, 2022.

When asked, “What is your success rate in fulfilling your new year’s resolution?” 30% of the respondents said they could achieve 25% of all their new year’s resolution; 26% said 75% of all their new year’s resolution, 20% said would accomplish nothing (0%), 13% would achieve 50%, and finally 11% would accomplish all (100%).

“New Year’s Resolutions can offer a fresh start. Creating a New Year’s resolution is a great way to kick off 2023, almost like hitting the “reset” button. You get to establish new goals, or revisit old ones, and determine how you want to deal with them. Whatever it is, New Year’s resolutions allow for us to reflect and refocus. All we need now, are the mechanism to achieve them; most especially when the based on the survey there is low rate of success because only around 37% of the respondents would fulfill their new year’s resolution of about 75% – 100%. But I do believe that with the grace of God nothing is impossible to achieve” (Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual, Radio Veritas President).

In this survey, slightly more female respondents would fulfill more new year’s resolution than their male counterparts with 26% of females accomplishing 75% of their resolution versus for 25% for the male respondents; and 13% female respondents achieving all their new year resolutions (100%) versus their male counterparts with only 8% of the respondents. Though, still both genders would still be low fulfilling their new year’s resolution with 61% of females achieving 50%-0% of their new year’s resolutions while 67% of the male respondents would achieve 50%-0% of their new year’s resolutions.

In addressing this low success rate in achieving our New Year’s Resolution, here are some tips that can help us this 2023 to fulfill our New Year’s Resolution:

MAKE VISIBLE YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION – Out of sight, out of mind. In the midst of our busy day-to-day lives, it’s inevitable that resolutions might slip our minds once in a while. Don’t place your New Year’s Resolution in a place where your tendency to forget about might occur. Make sure that your goals are written and displayed in places that you have no choice but to pay attention. For instance, you could create and print out a copy of your resolution — together with the action plan — and stick it on the wall in front of your table. You can even make it the screensaver of your computer so that you reminded of it regularly.

There are times a visual cue can help you stay driven. Think of a thermometer graphic to show how much money has been raised for a fundraiser, the scoreboard and countdown clock during a basketball game, or filling a clear glass piggybank with coins you saved for an item you wanted to buy. At a glance, you know the goal, the challenge, and progress. It’s exciting and motivating all at once.

TAKE BABY STEPS – Unwholesome behaviors develop over the course of time. Thus, replacing unwholesome behaviors with favorable ones requires time. Don’t get overwhelmed by Grand New Year’s Resolutions and think that you have to reassess everything in your life. Instead, work toward changing one behavior at a time. Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three or four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something else you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a form of punishment.

“A mini victory is a realistic, quickly-achievable, smaller portion of a larger objective. This bite-size goal will vary depending upon our specific intention, time frame, and motivation. The reason this strategy works is because we are able to see tangible progress, rather quickly, so we feel a sense of accomplishment and are encouraged to move on to our next mini goal, using the small successes as stepping-stones to larger change” (Royale Scuderi).

GET A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION BUDDY – There’s something about feeling answerable to a friend that makes you more fruitful in your goals. According to the science of Superbetter, by Jane McGonigal, “having at least two strong social relationships dramatically increases positive health outcomes and helps us succeed in our goals.” When we feel connected to others, we want to do better and show more progress. Humans need Humans — we need that person who we could trust that will cheer us on and push us to do our best.

Having another person to walk the journey with you towards your new year’s resolutions will make all the difference in the world. Don’t keep your resolution a top-secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your tenacity to fulfill your New Year’s Resolutions. The best-case scenario is to find a buddy who shares your New Year’s resolution and motivate each other.

———————–oOo——————————

For any personal comments or suggestions, you may call 0917-4805585 or email me at [email protected].