Stop with the New Year’s Resolutions!
For many of us, the New Year is the time to start afresh and renew a commitment to change. This is wonderful! However, for anyone who has ever bought new exercise equipment, joined the gym or started a diet, etc. on New Year’s Day, you know that hope and the best intentions do not lead to permanent change.
Why do New Year’s Resolutions Fail?
On average, most New Year’s resolutions last a couple of months. This is because our subconscious mind knows the difference between a TRUE commitment and a temporary change. Most anyone can manage to maintain a change in behavior using pure willpower for a short time. While a mindset of deprivation and authoritative command may work short term, the behavior change will not last.
Understanding the Behavior Change Process
According to the transtheoretical model of behavior change, there are
6 stages of behavior change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation for action, action, and maintenance or possibly relapse.
Pre-Contemplation: This is the entry point of the change process. The individual has not even considered the prospect of change and is unlikely to perceive a need for change.
Contemplation: Once the person has some awareness of the problem,
then the person enters the stage called Contemplation. It is an ambivalent state where the individual both wants and does not want to change. I’ve seen people get stuck in this stage for months and even years.
Preparation: The person is ready to change. The person has
resolved the ambivalence enough to look at making a change.
Action: The person engages in particular actions that intend to bring
about change. There is a strong commitment that is self-directed rather than imposed by others or the environment.
Maintenance: The person identifies and implements strategies to maintain
progress, and to reduce the likelihood of slips or full relapse into old behaviors. They have developed psychological tools to help deal with cravings.
Relapse: The person has a slip, or returns to behavior at a level higher than
acceptable. At times, the person might slip and not regard it as serious enough to be concerned, yet they may be at risk of making this a regular behavioral pattern, which will then lead to relapse.
How to Make a Lasting Change
I encourage you to contemplate and clarify where you are in the 6 stage process with behaviors you want to change. Next, set a realistic action step you can easily commit to. Take action, and accept that there may be challenges and setbacks. Be compassionate, kind, and encouraging to yourself throughout this process.
The Process of Change is not a Linear Progression
The process of change is not a linear progression or a one-shot deal. In my Weight Loss book 21 Winning Tips, Begin a Healthy Mindset and Lifestyle Change! I share how important it is to work on your mindset continuously if you want to achieve lasting change.
In the past, you may have thought the process of making a change was easy and there was something wrong with you because you could not achieve consistent permanent change. This is a lie. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you! You didn’t have the knowledge, skills, and tools to make a lasting change.
Slips Happen; I Can Help
If you are trying to change a behavior and find yourself continually slipping backward, you may need professional help.
Throughout my 28 years in private practice, I’ve had the privilege of assisting thousands of people to make long-lasting behavioral changes. While each individual is unique in their journey, the process of behavior change is the same!
I wish you the positive change that your heart desires in 2025!
To your health and happiness,
Isobel McGrath is a licensed International Mental Health Counselor, Life Coach, and Certified Hypnotherapist in St. Augustine, FL.
Isobel provides therapy, counseling, life coaching, and hypnosis in person at her St. Augustine Beach office, and through Telehealth. She is dedicated to providing exceptional, collaborative care, and truly cares about her clients and their well-being.
For more information about St. Augustine Therapist Isobel McGrath, please visit IsobelMcGrath.com, Mindful-Options.com, and 30SecondsOfCalm.com or call (904) 436-5576.