Hi everybody, this is Mike Staver. This is Monday’s with Mike, a weekly video series where I answer questions from people like you. Here’s the question:
How do I keep a New Year’s Resolution that will last all year?
You don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. I hate New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t believe in them! You know, I think it was Gallup that did some research that said that people last in their New Year’s Resolutions… how long do you guys think? How long do you think the average American stays committed to their New Year’s Resolutions? Two weeks. FOURTEEN DAYS.
We can’t stay away from a pint of Häagen-Dazs for fourteen days. You know why? Because New Year’s Resolutions are too big, they’re too bulky. “This year, I’m going to run a marathon.” No, you’re not. You haven’t been off a couch in a year. You’re face down in a box of Crispy Cremes. You’re not gonna run a marathon. “I’m going to quit smoking.” Come on, chimney. You’re not gonna quit smoking.
So here’s how you do it. Don’t do New Year’s Resolutions.
I want you to just pick a word for the year. Just pick a word! If you decide just to pick a word for the year, and you stick with that word, you’re going to be much more successful than an event-based New Year’s Resolution.
If you want to run a marathon, great. But that’s just an event. If you want to lose 10 pounds, that’s great. But that’s just an event. If you want to stop smoking, that’s great! It’s good for your health, but it’s just an event. But if you want to have transformative change in your life, what you need to do is pick a word.
My word for 2019 was clarity. It was amazing how much clarity came into my life just by having that word in front of me. This year, well, 2020, it’s going to be discipline. And already I’m finding myself being more disciplined in the way I do things, how I talk, and how I interact with others.
So pick a word, stick to the word, remind yourself of the word, have an accountability partner around the word, and you’ll be more successful.
I’m Mike Staver, I hope that’s helpful. Take care everybody, and until next time, if you have a question, submit it below!
Do you have a burning question for Mike to answer on another episode of Mondays with Mike? Submit the form below!
