How many people do you think make resolutions for themselves for the New Year and actually stick to it?
8 %
Less than one in ten people successfully follow through with their resolutions to better themselves. This means that the remaining 92% were not successful. Something along the way from making their resolution to the present that has stopped them from becoming the person they desire to be, even need to be.
But this isn’t strictly a New Years resolution phenomenon. Many people struggle with following through with goals and deadlines.
What are we doing that prevents us from achieving our goals?
In the book Focal Point by Brian Tracy, he states:
“Among the most important personal choices you can make is to accept complete responsibility for everything you are and everything you will ever be. This is the great turning point in life.”
The acceptance of personal responsibility “is what separates the superior person from the average person.”
What exactly does taking responsibility mean?
- Acknowledging that the choices you make in life are up to you and no one else.
- Not throwing the blame on an external entity for your current state of life. Your boss, your family, and your lack of money are not at fault.
- Believing and handling the consequences of your choices and actions.
If you are a perfectionist, it will be most difficult for you to accept the truth about yourself, which is that you are not perfect. It is hard to accept responsibility when your imperfection may be the reason you do not get what you want.
Additionally, confirmation bias causes you to rationalize why something did not go in your favor. When you are faced with a truth that you do not want to accept, your brain will work towards rationalizing why things are the way they are, getting as far away from the truth of the matter as possible.
By accepting responsibility, you can free yourself from making excuses and avoiding what you truly want to do. You may just be lacking the appropriate motivation: yourself.
