See Yourself Anew in the New Year

How you can overcome the odds and fulfill your New Year’s pledge to yourself

An example of linking a positive habit with one you enjoy could be to ride an exercise bicycle while you are watching your favorite shows.Shutterstock

If you are like 45 percent of the population, you are earnestly preparing for an upcoming New Year’s resolution. You may also already know that only 8 percent of people achieve the resolutions they make for themselves, according to a study from the University of Scranton. What exactly does this 8 percent do differently? Do they set easier goals? Is it just willpower?

In his best-selling book, “Atomic Habits,” James Clear lays out the science for developing and keeping better habits and how consistent, incremental changes multiply like compound interest over time. By following the right strategies, you can be among the 8 percent of people who successfully complete their pledges, and in the process, see yourself become the kind of person you want to be.

Instead of Setting Goals, Change Habits

A few key points, which stood out to me from Clear’s work, coincide exactly with what I see in my clients as they work to change their behavior. First, focus on changing habits, not setting goals. Goals can set you in a direction, but they don’t include the gradual and consistent changes you will need to make to get there. These changes are habits. Goals make us less happy to the extent that we are unsatisfied until we achieve them, while a habit is a success every time we do it.