‘Exercise more’, ‘eat more fruit’, ‘eat less chocolate’- many of us commit to New Years’ resolutions to make sure the next year is better than the last. However, applying too much pressure for change, can lead to developing ‘false hope syndrome’, where goals are too unrealistic can be a disaster.

Fewer than 10% of adults actually keep their resolutions; this can be demotivating, especially where unachievable goals are repeatedly set, year after year and never met. But why have a set time of the year to achieve a goal- why wait until the start of the year to achieve something?  Seize the moment!

The lead up to New Year makes people build up the significance of the goal in their minds, leading to unworkable goals being set. A highly successful businesswoman tells me “in many cases it is better to spontaneously set goals whenever they are relevant, that are small and achievable, rather than impractical ones. This is because a person can develop momentum through small aims, to achieve greater objectives. Eventually, through succeeding enough in enforcing these smaller goals, ‘unrealistic’ aims that were initially far from reality can start to be actualized.”

By following this rule of spontaneously setting achievable minor goals, we are much more likely to be successful in our ultimate goals. Polly Harrison, a member of staff at Ursuline High School believes “It’s important to make these goals a part of your day to day life rather than just following them for a few months.” She added “this can be done by just waking up one morning and deciding to do something.”

It can be a highly motivating factor to achieve a spontaneous resolution rather than waiting for something to happen so that you can finally set yourself that target.