The new year is a time when we like to refresh our lives — including professional ones — by writing out plans and tasks that we would like to accomplish. As with resolutions, not all of them stand the test of time. Sometimes we give up a little faster than we expected, sometimes after a few weeks. However, if we have already once felt the power of the achieved dream, then we will remember the feeling of satisfaction and flowing motivation from this event.
Do New Year's Resolutions Really Serve Us? Journalist The Economist, Ann Wroe, in her text New Year's Resolutions Are Pointless states that resolutions do not have to be and are often not groundbreaking, because change usually happens in small, seemingly imperceptible things, making our lives a little better every day. As proof of his thesis, he recalls his own memories of resolutions, which were not examples of great and far-reaching goals derived from Instagram posts, but more mundane decisions, such as reading company emails accurately or entering birthdays in the company calendar. As the author herself concluded, comparing her experiences with more spectacular changes, such as moving to another place or a complete change in life and career, she came to the conclusion that even such ordinary things that she managed to change significantly affect her entire functioning for the better.
In a professional context, Wroe describes the social phenomenon of the “Great Resignation”, which shows both community and individual dilemmas associated with consciously leaving work in search of a better quality of life. As he states: At the end of last year, an average of 4 million Americans a month and 130,000 Britons quit their jobs. They were not fired. It seems that they just woke up one morning, looked up at the sky, considered the view of their desk and screen for the hundredth time, and thought, 'No.' (data from 2021).
This passage also refers to the situation after the Covid-19 pandemic, which forever changed the labor market, revealing both its limitations and new opportunities. On the one hand, Wroe describes the courage of those who have decided to change careers, on the other — he emphasizes the difficulties associated with the realities of the labor market. He compares it all to New Year's resolutions, which carry a sense of freshness and excitement, but often crash into everyday life.
But is every New Year's resolution doomed to failure? Or is the key to creating a plan that is more in line with our real needs and capabilities?
Summary of New Year's Resolutions Research
The refreshing power of the New Year prompts us to reflect and set new goals. The attitude of Poles to the New Year's resolutions decided to study Sociologists.pl, sharing the following results:
53% - does not make any New Year's resolutions,
21% - implements only part of them,
15% - claims that he has the so-called “straw fervor”, that is, he realizes his resolution only for a while and then abandons it,
11% - consistently implements its provisions.
(Socijolożki.pl, study by the Cawi method, on a representative sample of 1185 people)
The conclusion of this study is, among other things, that more than half of Poles declare that they do not make any resolutions for the New Year. It is worth adding that the highest percentage of such declarations occurs in the age range 54—60 years (63%) and 65+ (71%). Every tenth person conscientiously implements his resolutions.
The same trend — a higher proportion of people with New Year's resolutions among young than older — was shown by a US study conducted in January 2024 on a sample of 5,140 American adults. Among those who have made resolutions:
49% consisted of persons aged 18 to 29 years,
21% people aged 50+.
What areas did the New Year's plans cover most often? The most popular direction turned out to be the lifestyle: healthy diet, sport and health (79%). Least attention paid Work and career (49%)). It is worth noting, however, that they were in second place. finance (61%), and on the fourth hobbies and interests (55%). The latter can also be seen as areas not infrequently linked to the management of your professional career or the general situation at work.
The Psychological Dimension of Provisions
Why, after all, do we succumb to a kind of fashion for New Year's resolutions? Psychology explains this by several factors. First, the new calendar year brings us the effect of the beginning, that is, a symbolic new chapter, which is a “clean card” (like new calendar sheets), which we can write down with different plans than before. It comes with a fair dose of fun and excitement. Secondly, social and media pressure (especially on social media such as Instagram or LinkedIn) means that resolutions can turn into unhealthy competition over time.
However, the external environment can also work in our favor. If we want to change jobs or start a diet, family and friends can be our strength in times of crisis. At work, such support can be a team with whom we go through the necessary changes together.
In setting goals, it is extremely important to find a realistic ceiling and maintain an optimistic atmosphere that is not associated with a ban or an order, but with pleasure. Goals aimed at achieving something positive (e.g., “start exercising regularly”) are more effective than those aimed at avoiding something (e.g., “stop eating sweets”).
Equally important is a non-perfectionist approach to resolutions. Flexibility and adaptation make us acquire habits of change instead of giving up after the first unsuccessful attempt. Excessive focus on achieving the ideal goal more often distances us from it. Mistakes are a natural part of the process — there is a high probability that they will appear more than once in our lives. Do we want to give up every task? No. Therefore, it is better to start with the acceptance of possible failures.
Another issue is to maintain a common sense assessment of the situation. It happens that stubborn consistency in the pursuit of a goal obscures our sober view of reality. It happens that plans that initially seemed hit, over time turn out to be completely unsuccessful. The reasons are different - something may simply not suit us or not work in our lives. If we stubbornly insist on only one version of events, it is easy to fall into a vicious circle of growing frustration.
And lastly — perhaps most importantly — change comes less often from what we do on the outside, and more often from how we think inside ourselves. Of course, this does not apply to major changes related to crises or politics, but changing beliefs — especially about ourselves — shapes our identity and, consequently, affects what we do and how we act.
Good tips
In order for New Year's resolutions to become an opportunity for positive change and motivating refreshment, it is worth taking advantage of scientific knowledge that shows how to effectively plan for the next year. At the same time, it is important to avoid the trap of January zeal, which overwhelms us and often ends in frustration even before the month is over.
Scientific American published an article with scientific tips that can help you implement New Year's resolutions. Here are the key recommendations:
- Precise objectives: Specific and measurable goals that are easily checked and summarized are more effective. For example, “I will run 5 km three times a week” is a better goal than the general “I will run more”.
- Monitoring of progress: A systematic review of achievements allows you to maintain motivation and gives you the opportunity to make modifications to the plan when things do not go as expected.
- Social support: It is worth looking for groups or people who can support us. It can be friends and family, a professional environment or a circle of people who share the same passions. Support increases the sense of responsibility and commitment.
- Less is more: Creating a list of resolutions that is too long can be overwhelming. It is better to focus on one or two goals, which will make it possible to increase concentration and effectiveness of actions.
- Acceptance of changes: Failures are a natural part of the process. Preparing for them and treating them as learning opportunities helps build long-term commitment. Change is a process that requires flexibility and patience.
By following these tips, we can increase the chances of success by creating realistic and inspiring plans for the new year.
summary
The New Year is a time of new beginnings, hopes and opportunities. This is an excellent time to not only set personal goals, but also to look at your professional life and reflect on potential changes. As both research and practical tips show, the key to success is setting realistic goals, being flexible in achieving them and using the tools available to support us on the way to achieving our dreams.
If one of your resolutions is to change jobs or develop your career, this is where you should look for inspiration and opportunities! The New Year is the perfect time to open an account on www.jobsdoor.eu A platform that opens the door to a new career. With Jobs Door you will find jobs in every industry, whether you are an IT specialist, a creative worker or a person looking for your first professional experience.
The platform offers not only access to current vacancies, but also inspiring articles, interviews with industry leaders and practical tips to help you grow your career. Thanks to regular updates, you will be up to date with the latest trends in the labor market and find solutions tailored to your needs.
Once again — we wish you, our readers, the best impressions in the New Year and new career opportunities! With Jobs Door, your career plans have a chance to become a reality, and the New Year will become the beginning of something truly special.
Sources
- https://www.economist.com/1843/2022/01/04/new-years-resolutions-are-pointless
- https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/29/new-years-resolutions-who-makes-them-and-why/
- https://www.parinc.com/learning-center/par-blog/detail/blog/2024/01/02/the-psychology-behind-new-years-resolutions
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/slipping-on-your-new-years-resolutions-science-tips-to-get-on-track/
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DEP-ITzsBGe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA ==
