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Why You Might Be Choosing the Wrong New Year’s Resolution

We all know the feeling. We finish off the last of the Christmas chocolate, drink the last of the Christmas booze and pack away the decorations for another year. Our trousers tight and our appetites sated, we look forward with renewed motivation towards the New Year. It’s the perfect time to take stock and set some goals for the future. But how do you know that the New Year resolution you choose is the right one?

a huge list of new year's resolutions is no good if they aren't the right ones. Here's how to choose

What Are the Most Common New Year’s Resolutions?

A recent UK survey explored the most popular New Year’s resolutions and there are definitely common themes. They show a general desire to increase health, happiness and life balance.

Top 3 New Year Resolutions – Weight, Diet & Exercise

According to this research the top three January resolutions are:

  1. Exercise more
  2. Lose weight
  3. Improve diet

These are definitely goals that would aid health but they can often be very vast and unattainable. They require some careful thought and planning. For example, what type of exercise are you going to do? Would you prefer to work out at home or would joining a sports club be more enjoyable? Anything that relies on willpower alone can be difficult. Some people find joining a sports team or a weight loss group helpful for additional accountability. Gyms know only too well that the motivation to exercise can easily wane after the initial January energy fades.

The best way to maintain lifestyle changes like these is to take small steps, find things that truly motivate or enthuse you, and to turn these changes into daily habits. We need to look deeper when making changes like this. What has been stopping you? Why do you really want to lose weight? Do you have underlying behaviours or attitudes that are sabotaging you? You need to make the change from within rather than focusing purely on the number on the scales?

Time to Look Deeper

The reason so many people who set weight loss resolutions struggle, is that they’re trying to address the symptom of something rather than the cause. Why do you struggle with your weight? Lack of nutrition knowledge? Or something deeper? I actually find that many clients who come and see me for help losing weight, actually need help with a whole range of other issues instead. For example, stress, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, unhealthy relationships, confidence issues, addiction or emotional struggles.

All of these can be linked to weight gain and diet struggles. Because these issues can be complex and difficult, we tend to avoid them, but a better New Year resolution might be,

‘Uncover the root cause of my weight issues and seek help to resolve them.’

Money and Career Aspirations

The next two resolutions on the list were saving more money and pursuing a career ambition. Saving more money might be as simple as setting up a direct debit. Or it might involve some thought about your relationship with money, whether you are using it to try and find happiness you are missing elsewhere in your life, or perhaps to build your self-esteem.

Career goals are more easily reached with the help of a career coach. You might like to improve your interview skills, confidence, communication skills, public speaking or fear of authority. Whatever it is that’s held you back in the past. As well as making sure that the career you are seeking will truly make you happy.

Addictions and Unhelpful Habits

Further down the list is another group of common resolutions:

These resolutions are always popular. We all have bad habits that we know aren’t good for us. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find yourself setting this same resolution every year.

When I help clients change behaviours like these, I start the change from within and help unpick their origins. So many people who are distracting themselves or self-medicating are struggling with other issues. Perhaps boosting a low self-image or struggling with anxiety or depression. Sometimes it’s as simple as needing to change your mindset and relearn how to navigate life without these crutches.

Changes made in this way are long lasting and you no longer need to rely on willpower alone.

Is It Time for Real Change?

What New Year’s resolution have you picked? Are you sure they’re the right ones? Why not leave the typical resolutions this year and make your happiness a real priority? I can help you discover what will really improve your life. Together we can find the thing that will make the biggest impact to your happiness and wellbeing, and make lasting change in just a few sessions.

What Next?

If you’d like to learn more about how hypnotherapy and coaching can help you this New Year, please do make your own happiness a priority and get in touch with me today. I’d love to offer you a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss how I can help you.

Further Reading

Weight Loss Hypnosis

How To Keep Your New Year Resolutions

Reinvent Yourself for New Year

How To Get Motivated

How to Find the Best London Hypnotherapist for You

 

Alix Needham

My techniques guarantee that you remain in control at every session. These techniques, developed over 25 years, are so effective that many issues can be addressed in as little as three sessions and my location in the very heart of London means you can book sessions to work around work.

A Huge List Of New Year's Resolutions Is No Good If They Aren't The Right Ones. Here's How To Choose
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