The Psychology Behind New Year’s Resolutions: Why Proclaiming Goals Feels So Good

The Psychology Behind New Year’s Resolutions: Why Proclaiming Goals Feels So Good

The dawn of a new year brings a sense of renewal and possibility, encouraging many of us to set goals, often referred to as New Year’s resolutions. From declaring an intent to hit the gym more regularly to pledging to learn a new skill, social media becomes flooded with public proclamations of goals. However, while the act of setting resolutions is inspiring, many of these goals are abandoned just a few months later. To understand why this happens, we need to delve into the psychology behind goal-setting and the powerful allure of public declarations.

The Feel-Good Factor of Proclaiming Goals

When we publicly declare a goal, especially on platforms like social media, we’re not just making a statement, we’re engaging in a psychological mechanism known as self-validation. This process is amplified when we receive encouragement, praise, or congratulations from our peers. These positive reactions trigger a release of dopamine, the brain’s “reward chemical,” which makes us feel accomplished even before we’ve taken the first tangible step toward our goal.

This phenomenon is supported by the self-determination theory, which emphasizes the importance of competence, relatedness, and autonomy in motivation. Publicly sharing resolutions create a sense of relatedness as others engage with and support our goals, fulfilling a basic psychological need. It’s this instant gratification that makes proclaiming goals so appealing, but it’s also where the problem begins.

The Commitment Gap: Why Proclamations Often Don’t Lead to Progress

While public declarations can create an initial surge of motivation, they can also lead to a phenomenon known as goal substitution. According to research in behavioural psychology, the act of announcing a goal can provide enough satisfaction to trick our brains into thinking we’ve already achieved something significant. As a result, the urgency to take actionable steps diminishes.

Another factor at play is the illusion of progress. By publicly declaring a goal, we may feel as though we’ve already started the journey, even when no real action has been taken. This false sense of achievement can lead to complacency and, ultimately, inaction. New Year’s resolutions are more than just the announcement.

Strategies to Turn Proclamations Into Progress

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with proclaiming goals, it’s crucial to balance this with strategies that ensure follow-through. Here are some evidence-based approaches:

1. Set Specific, Measurable Goals

Research in goal-setting theory highlights the importance of specificity. Instead of saying, “I want to get fit,” commit to a measurable goal like, “I will exercise for 30 minutes three times a week.” This clarity makes it easier to track progress and maintain focus.

2. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome

Rather than fixating solely on the end goal, shift your attention to the daily habits and actions that will lead to success. For example, instead of declaring, “I will lose 10 kilograms,” focus on adopting healthier eating habits and regular exercise routines.

3. Create Accountability Structures

Public declarations are a form of accountability, but they’re often too abstract to sustain motivation. Instead, find an accountability partner or join a group with shared goals to ensure ongoing encouragement and check-ins.

4. Celebrate Milestones, Not Just the Goal

Break your resolution into smaller, manageable milestones and celebrate each achievement. This approach helps maintain motivation and provides regular dopamine boosts tied to actual progress.

5. Reflect and Reassess Regularly

Schedule regular check-ins to evaluate your progress. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not, and make adjustments as needed. This practice keeps your goals dynamic and adaptable.

The act of proclaiming New Year’s resolutions can be both empowering and deceptive. While it provides an initial burst of motivation and social validation, it can also lead to complacency if not followed by deliberate action. By understanding the psychological mechanisms at play and adopting strategies to sustain momentum, we can transform our resolutions from mere proclamations into meaningful progress. This New Year, let’s aim not just to declare our goals, but to achieve them—one deliberate step at a time.

If you want to learn more about the steps required to set up a school check out some of our other articles:

– Steps to Setting Up a New School

– 10 Steps and Articles on How to Set Up a New School

– GSE International School Franchise Models

GSE provides specialist services to set up all educational institutions, including international schools, kindergartens, vocational colleges, universities, and online/virtual schools.

GSE has previously operated, or currently operates projects, in the following locations:

India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, East Timor, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia (KSA), UAE, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, Kenya, Libya, Bahrain, Iraq, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, USA

Contact Us Directly 👇

CEO and Education Expert Greg Parry

Internationally renowned for his expertise in education leadership, Greg Parry’s vast experience includes leadership of projects for education institutions throughout Australia, the Middle East, the United States, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. Recognised for his numerous contributions in the education arena, Greg has received the Ministers Award for Excellence in School Leadership based on improvements in school performance and a range of successful principal training and leadership development programs, as well as the School of Excellence Award for Industry/School Partnerships and the School of Excellence Award for Technology Innovation. His company, GSE (Global Services in Education), has been recognised as having the Best Global Brand in International Education in 2015 and 2016.

Considered one of the premier experts in his profession, Greg has trained teachers and principals throughout the world in areas such as critical thinking, language development and leadership. His expertise in school start-up projects, leadership and curriculum development has made him a sought-after authority in this discipline.

www.gsineducation.com

Global Services in Education set up and operate schools in all parts of the world. Governed by a philosophy of global citizenship, every member of the GSE team shares a passion to help shape international education and student achievement through inspiration and collaboration.
Our goal is to meet the highest objectives of every school, teacher, student and parent, with an unwavering dedication to quality education, shared ideals and intercultural perspectives.