Every year, millions of people make a fresh start, particularly in terms of the improvements they desire to make in their lives.
The infectious optimism of New Year's resolutions inspires and motivates us to take the first steps towards the resolutions we've penned down. For me, it's usually re-reading books like The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. These are good refreshments to reinforce certain principles that I want to live by.
For others, it could be getting a gym membership and stick going to the gym week after week. Alternatively, they might start their own business or do a side hustle Whatever it may be, there's an impetus to do something different, to operate a change.
But some time around March, that infectious optimism has often faded quite a lot and it's replaced by a dull inertia that whispers of "next year" on the background of our subconscious mind.
What's interesting is that this happens almost every time and for many people. When the optimism disappears, the vision of change also disappears with it.
But why does this happen? Why do we, with the best intentions, repeatedly fall short of our aspirations?
Brain Games and Willpower
While it might seem like willpower simply evaporates after March, the truth is, our resolutions face a much more complex foe. This complex foe is simply the gravitational pull of autopilot, that constantly brings us back towards established behaviors, no matter how much we yearn for change.
This autopilot behaviour is based on a set of habits that have been ingrained deep within our psyche, and keep running in the background whether we're aware of it or not.
Like an anchor, it keeps us tied to what's easy or comfortable, the moment we stop rowing towards a particular direction. Which is exactly what happens when this infectious optimism of New Year's resolutions disappears.
There's this mechanism about the dopamine dilemma that we all face. It's basically how our brains crave the immediate rush of pleasure that comes with initial progress.
For example, that first gym session, the initial success of completing a book, can trigger a dopamine surge, driving us to keep going forward.
But as the novelty of the situation wears off, and the daily grind sets in, the dopamine well begins to run dry and its effects become minimal. This often leaves us with a choice of either pushing against the inertia or succumb to familiar and less rewarding routines.
This explains why those grand, ambitious resolutions often falter. They demand consistent and sustained effort, which our reward system isn't alway equipped for.
Instead, we're usually drawn more towards the comfort of instant gratification. Opting for a quick sugar rush over the delayed reward of a healthy body, for example.
Bridging The Gap
A solution based approach towards this dilemma is to be more realistic with our new year's resolutions and not be overly carried away with the infectious optimism that comes with it. This means taking small steps that gradually lead to the desired outcome than making one giant step in the hopes of making a lasting difference right from the start.
What about the autopilot behaviour that anchors us to what's easy and comfortable when the optimism fades away?
Well, optimism is like the wind, it comes and goes, depending on factors that are beyond our control. Putting too much reliance on it, puts us at a situation where we keep hitting the pause button whenever it goes.
Ingrained habits take time to shed away and be replaced by desired habits. So here too, there's an element of being realistic. However, the difference is letting time work for us instead of working against it.
Meaning, instead of aiming for a complete lifestyle overhaul, break down resolutions into smaller, achievable goals. Focus on one habit or behavior change at a time. This makes it easier to establish new routines and avoid being overwhelmed.
Embarking on a fresh start doesn't have to be a cyclical journey from hope to disappointment and vice versa. Lasting change hardly comes through making one grand leap. But taking small, deliberate steps in a consistent and patient manner can carve a permanent path towards our desired outcome. Slow and steady wins the race, they say.
Thanks for reading!