2020: the beginning of a new decade.
Dixie State University students are bringing in 2020 with New Year’s resolutions to stay on track for the new semester.
New Year’s resolutions can be an effective way to achieve goals by simply changing your mindset and the way you perceive them. DSU students are changing their lives and the lives of others by setting goals as simple as making a new friend or to better one’s own health.
The success rate for New Year’s resolutions is very low, but resolutions are very common, considering everyone has at least thought about or attempted to achieve one.
New Year’s resolutions tend to fail for a few reasons.
People don’t make their resolutions specific enough.
When you deprive yourself of ways to mark your progress, you’re more likely to lose motivation or even forget about your resolutions. For example: “Lose weight” or “eat healthier” are way too vague of goals. Try setting very specific goals, such as running a mile in a certain time frame, losing a specific amount of weight in a given time frame, or even planning specific, healthy meals.
Putting time lines on your goals can also be a helpful way to stay motivated and track your progress.
“My 2020 resolution is actually based on my academics,” said Tanner Gilman, a sophomore theater education major from Pocatello, Idaho. “I plan to boost my in-class participation in courses. My No. 1 goal is to find and meet a new friend in every class.”
People word their resolutions too negatively.
Too often, people think about the negative things they don’t like about themselves. This way of thinking is a huge way to be unsuccessful and unmotivated. For example, “stop spending money on unnecessary things” or “stop eating junk food” are negative views on ourselves. Thinking negatively can cause people to give up goals because the negative outlook can cause a “so what” attitude and they ultimately give up on the resolution.
Morgan Olson, a freshman communication studies major from Spanish Fork, said, “Each year I get a goals journal and write my resolutions in there and why I decided upon those goals and put sticky notes on all my mirrors to have a constant reminder.”
Be specific. Be positive. Be relevant.
Lilliana Rogers, DSN Staff
When we put negative thoughts and goals into our brains, it actually makes us think about the negative aspects we are trying to overcome, making it harder to concentrate on the positive reward of achieving the goal.
“I don’t ever get mad at myself if I can’t accomplish what I set out to do. I kind of just go with the flow,” said Abigail James, a freshman physical therapy major from Apple Valley, California.
Instead, try to talk to yourself more positively and give yourself more credit.
The goals are not relevant enough to the individual’s life.
Finally, the goals you set for yourself have to be something you truly want.
If the goal you set is only a goal because family, friends or society have pressured you into changing, you’re less likely to be successful.
It can be quite easy to fall into this way of thinking because of the pressure many students face from all angles, but if you pick a goal that is important to you, making it a reality is more attainable.
Be the best you that you can be. Stand up for change and put in all the work it takes to be happy.
Be specific. Be positive. Be relevant.
