Here we are once again.  The holiday season is winding down, emotions are high, and usually around this time of year we tend to feel pretty damn good about ourselves and the exciting possibilities the New Year has in store.  As 2014 comes to an end, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the New Year, so we can make our obligatory New Years Resolution, and hopefully change our lives in some way.

As many of you may have guessed, setting a goal to lose weight is #1 on the list of New Year’s Resolutions’. Exercising is right behind at #3, and staying fit and healthy coming in at #5.  Although 3 out of the top 5 resolutions made every year have to do with living a healthier lifestyle, these 3 are also some of the most broken resolutions as well.  It’s sad to say this, but an alarming 95% of people who make resolutions have actually deviated from, or quit their promises to themselves all together by January 15!  Knowing this simple fact alone, in theory, will put you in a better position than those who don’t!

In today’s blog we are going to look at several fascinating, yet unsettling statistics on New Year’s Resolutions and those who make them….

• 45% of Americans set New Year’s Resolutions
• 38% sometimes will set resolutions.
• 17% never set resolutions due to the painful association they’ve developed by never following through and failing accomplishing their goals in the past.
• 95% of those who set resolutions will deviate from, or quit their resolution all together by January 15.
• Only 8% of people are always successful in achieving their resolutions. 19% achieve their resolutions every other year.  49% have infrequent success.
• 24% (one in four people) NEVER succeed and have failed on every resolution every year. This group ultimately ends up in the 17% category that never set resolutions.

• 34% set resolutions related to money
• 38% set resolutions related to weight loss
• 47% set resolutions related to self-improvement or including eating better and being healthier
• 31% set resolutions related to relationships

• 39% of those in their twenties achieve their resolutions every year or every other year.
• Less than 15% of those over 50 achieve their resolutions every year or every other year.

Now that you know the truth what will you do this year?  It’s important to remember that there are no documented cases in the history of mankind where success was obtained over night.

We are a very “need for immediate gratification” species”, but it’s important to remember, it took you some time to get in the position you’re in, it’s going to take some time to get out.

The only difference between the 8% who constantly achieve their resolutions year after year and everyone else, is that group has clearly defined what they want, put it on paper, identified their reasons for wanting to accomplish their goal, and have visualized how their lives will be different when they accomplish their resolution. They will also mandatorily take the time to think how life would be if they don’t.  New Year’s Day is just around the corner.  If you haven’t made a resolution and came up with your game plan to achieve a successful outcome, then you ‘re already behind the 8%.  This year your effort, focus, and passion should go into just one thing;

becoming part of that 8%!