Change Resolution

We're now two weeks into the New Year and, if usual practice is anything to go by, almost everyone you know will have given up on their New Year's resolutions.
This is a cliche, of course, but many cliches do contain a kernel of truth and this is no exception. The question is just why are we so bad at keeping such resolutions? Does this reflect a more general difficulty when faced with change?

And just as important is what happens when we fail at making change or keeping resolutions. A recent article in The Guardian highlights work from Richard Wiseman at the University of Hertfordshire which suggests that we become dispirited at the collapse of our New Year resolutions and end up feeling even worse than before.

The way to achieve change - and successful resolutions - first involves planning - work out a plan and some smaller steps that you can easily measure, which will help you stick to it. Don't worry about the odd lapse and, ideally, stick to one plan at a time.

Anyone trying to make lasting and successful change without a plan, whether in personal affairs or in their organisation, is more likely than not doomed to fail.

Other general tips for ensuring a change process works, whether personal or organisational, include making sure that the goals you set are challenging but achievable, make sure that you can monitor progress, and concentrating on the benefits of change. This relates to the appreciative inquiry method we recommend when developing plans as part of the Well-Being programme.

You might also want to take a look at the website 6Changes which emphasises the tiny steps approach to building new habits.

You can follow Richard Wiseman's useful and informative Twitter feed (@richardwiseman).