It's that time of year again: the start of a new year, full of hope and the promise of self-improvement. Millions of people around the world make New Year's resolutions, pledging to make positive changes in their lives. Whether it's losing weight, quitting smoking, or saving more money, these resolutions often come with the best of intentions.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, many of us will ultimately fail to achieve our goals. According to a study by the University of Scranton, only 8% of people who make New Year's resolutions are successful in achieving them. So why do so many of us struggle to stick to our resolutions?

The Science Behind Habit Formation

To understand why people struggle to implement new habits, it's helpful to understand the process of habit formation itself. Habits are behaviors that we perform automatically, without much thought or effort. They are often triggered by certain cues in our environment, and are reinforced by a reward.

The process of habit formation can be broken down into three stages: the cue, the routine, and the reward.

1. The cue: This is the trigger that initiates the behavior. It could be a time of day, a specific location, an emotional state, or any other type of trigger that prompts the behavior.
2. The routine: This is the behavior itself. It could be anything from brushing your teeth to scrolling through social media. 3 .The reward: This is the positive outcome that reinforces the behavior. It could be a feeling of accomplishment, a burst of pleasure, or some other type of positive reinforcement.

Over time, as we repeat this process, the behavior becomes automatic, and we don't have to think about it consciously. It becomes a habit.

Why Habits Are Hard to Change

So, if habits are simply behaviors that we repeat over and over again, why are they so hard to change? One reason is that habits are deeply ingrained in our brains. When we repeat a behavior over and over, the neural pathways responsible for that behavior become stronger and more efficient. This means that it takes less effort to perform the behavior, and it becomes more automatic.

However, this also makes it harder to change the behavior. The stronger the neural pathways, the more ingrained the habit becomes, and the more difficult it is to change.

Another reason habits are hard to change is that they often provide some sort of reward or pleasure. This could be something as simple as the satisfaction of checking something off a to-do list, or the pleasure of indulging in a favorite food. These rewards serve to reinforce the behavior, making it more likely to continue.

Why People Fail at New Year's Resolutions

Now that we understand the science behind habit formation, let's look at some specific reasons why people often fail at their New Year's resolutions.

1. Lack of motivation: It's easy to get excited about a new year and the prospect of making positive changes in our lives. However, this excitement often fades over time, and it becomes harder to maintain the motivation needed to stick to our resolutions.
2. Unrealistic goals: Many people set unrealistic goals for themselves, which can lead to disappointment and frustration. For example, if you resolve to lose 50 pounds in a month, it's highly unlikely that you'll be able to sustain that level of weight loss for an extended period of time. Setting more realistic, achievable goals can increase your chances of success.
3. Lack of planning: It's one thing to make a resolution, but it's another thing entirely to figure out how you're going to achieve it. Failing to plan out the steps needed to reach your goal can make it much harder to stick to your resolution.
4. Lack of accountability: It can be helpful to have someone to hold you accountable to your goals, whether it's a friend, a family member, or a coach. Having someone to support you and keep you on track can increase your chances of success.
5. Negative self-talk: Our thoughts and beliefs about ourselves can have a huge impact on our behavior. If we tell ourselves that we're not capable of achieving our goals, it becomes much harder to stay motivated and stick to our resolutions.
6. Failing to address the underlying issue: Sometimes, our resolutions are simply a Band-Aid solution to a deeper issue. For example, if you resolve to exercise more in order to lose weight, but you're not addressing the underlying issue of unhealthy eating habits, it's likely that you'll struggle to achieve your goal.

Tips for Success

So, what can you do to increase your chances of success with your New Year's resolutions? Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Set realistic goals: As mentioned above, it's important to set goals that are achievable. This will help you stay motivated and avoid frustration.
2. Make a plan: Figure out the specific steps you need to take to reach your goal. This will help you stay focused and on track.
3. Find accountability: Having someone to hold you accountable can be a huge help when it comes to sticking to your resolutions.
4. Practice self-compassion: It's important to be kind to yourself when you're trying to make a change. Don't beat yourself up if you have a setback or stumble. Instead, focus on the progress you've made and give yourself credit for the effort you're putting in.
5. Address the underlying issue: If you're struggling to stick to your resolution, it might be helpful to take a step back and consider whether there's an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
6. Seek support: If you're struggling to make a change on your own, it might be helpful to seek support from friends, family, or a Community like HabitHive.

New Year's resolutions can be a great way to set goals and make positive changes in your life, but unfortunately, many people struggle to stick to them. By understanding the science behind habit formation and the reasons why habits are hard to change, you can increase your chances of success. By setting realistic goals, making a plan, finding accountability, practicing self-compassion, and seeking support, you can improve your chances of achieving your resolutions and making lasting positive changes in your life.

One tool that can help you with your habit-forming journey is a habit tracker app like Habithive. Habithive allows you to track your progress and set reminders for your habits, making it easier to stay on track and achieve your goals. By using a habit tracker app like Habithive, you can improve your chances of success and make lasting positive changes in your life.