Psychology Professor Offers Tips for Achieving New Year’s Resolutions

As the holiday season comes to a close, many individuals across British Columbia are setting New Year’s resolutions aimed at improving their lives. From Port Hardy to Victoria, people are making commitments to get in shape, strengthen friendships, or pursue new career opportunities. Yet, as January progresses, it is common for gym memberships to go unused, diets to be abandoned, and ambitious goals to be forgotten.

Frederick Grouzet, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Victoria, has dedicated much of his career to exploring the nature of goals and values. He emphasizes that while setting a resolution is a straightforward task, the journey to maintain or achieve it can be significantly more challenging. “Setting a goal is good, it’s easy, but maintaining a goal or attaining it – it’s very difficult,” Grouzet stated.

Choosing the Right Goals

Grouzet advises that the key to successful resolutions lies in the selection of goals that are “self-relevant.” This means that individuals should choose goals that resonate personally with them, rather than opting for resolutions that are influenced by external pressures or expectations. “It’s something that you choose personally for you, not to please others,” he explained. This personal connection is critical; if a goal does not align with an individual’s interests or desires, it is likely to be disregarded.

For instance, if someone dislikes golf, they may want to reconsider a resolution to play 18 holes twice a week. Similarly, if a pescatarian diet does not appeal to a person, they should feel free to abandon that plan. Grouzet stresses, “If you don’t do it for yourself, then, yes, you will fail.”

Setting Specific and Actionable Plans

Another essential aspect of goal-setting is the need for specificity and actionability. Grouzet points out that vague aspirations often lead to disappointment. For example, while aiming to run the TC10K in April is a commendable goal, it lacks the necessary detail. Instead, he suggests breaking it down into actionable steps. Individuals should start by walking five kilometers, gradually increasing their running distance each week until they are prepared for the race. This approach makes the goal clearer and more achievable.

Moreover, Grouzet highlights the importance of preparing for potential setbacks. “Very often when we set a goal and then we make plans, we make plans almost like everything will be ideal,” he noted. To combat this, he encourages people to establish contingency plans. For example, if jogging twice a week is a goal, one should have strategies in place for inclement weather, illness, or dips in motivation. This might include obtaining a gym membership for indoor workouts or having home equipment like dumbbells available.

Grouzet also advises against feeling pressured to set New Year’s resolutions. It is important for individuals to recognize that they should only pursue goals if they genuinely want to. “If you feel that you have to do it, then that would be much more difficult, and you will fail, for sure,” he remarked.

Ultimately, the first step in goal-setting is to identify what resonates most personally. By selecting goals that align with individual values and interests, and by creating actionable plans with contingencies, individuals can significantly increase their chances of success in the new year.