The road from wish
to habit
Intentions and desire
Anyone who thinks good intentions are a modern concoction is mistaken. The origins go back thousands of years, with no champagne or countdown.
Back in the days
About 4,000 years ago, the Babylonians celebrated the New Year in spring. This coincided with the planting of new crops. They made promises to their gods, such as about paying off debts. By keeping those promises, they hoped for a good harvest. Later, the Romans determined that Jan. 1 became the beginning of the year. The month of January was named after Janus, the god of new beginnings. Janus was depicted with two faces, one to the past and one to the future. Romans made sacrifices and promised to behave well.
Resolutions anno now
Every moment and every day is a time to start a new habit. Yet a new era works to motivate many people. This is called the “Fresh Start Effect. A transitional moment feels like a reset, making you more willing to change patterns. A new year has that effect, but so does a new week or month usually.
The risk of good intentions is clear: quit before you get going. Habits drive much of your behavior. Sustaining something new therefore takes practice. Therein lies immediately the biggest tip! Turning your resolution into a new habit increases your chances of success. Repetition shows your brain that it is not an intruder, but part of who you are.
Take that approach
This approach will increase your chances of success.
- Make your resolution realistic and concrete. Dreaming is allowed, but concrete steps will help you move forward. Not “I want to fly someday,” but “I am planning my first flying lesson within six months.”
- Choose something that suits you. A resolution that matches your values and motivation is easier to keep. It’s about what you want to achieve, not what others think is appropriate.
- Quality over quantity. Research shows that you are more successful if you choose fewer intentions. Focused choosing works better than chasing a whole list.
Looking on the bright side
Package your resolution in a positive format. Not: “I’m quitting smoking.” Well: “I’m starting to live a healthier life.” Positive language activates your motivation. An old habit sometimes comes back, especially if you have a tough week. Therefore, prepare yourself. Understanding the Empathy Gap will help you do that. You often underestimate how much influence emotions have on your behavior. Thinking ahead makes difficult moments manageable.
Check your reality check
Consider in advance what you are willing to invest. That doesn’t have to be just money. Consider time, attention, energy or social choices. By determining this in advance, you prevent a setback from feeling like failure. You will already have a clear dot on the horizon, making it easier to persevere.
Want to keep it light-hearted and mostly discover what works? Totally fine. Having fun growing helps more than you think. Feel free to make it your own party!
