Experts say small changes are key to successful New Year’s resolutions

A new year is just a few days away now and many people set New Year’s resolutions. But what does it take to succeed and not fail just a couple days into the new year?

CHCH News spoke with a professor at Western University who says it’s all about making small positive changes in our lives.

When it comes to making a change in the new year, some people have some big goals.

“I actually made a resolution last year not to make any more resolutions, but to make goals. So I do have a goal and my goal is to get back into running because I have not been running very much,” said one woman.

“I usually try to reach out to all my friends throughout the year by sending maybe a birthday card. I usually get about half way through every year before it kind of dwindles out,” said another woman.

But others are saying New Year’s is not the time to set goals

“No, I don’t really because what I do, I just try and keep up everything all year,” said one man.

But if you are making a resolution this year, Albert Malkin, a professor of applied psychology with Western University, says keep the goals simple, don’t aim too big.

“I think that a big part of it is not setting realistic goals and expectations and resolutions that are well informed. So it’s difficult to turn your life around in a complete 180 degree direction or even habits in a complete opposite direction of what you have been doing. And then sometimes people just take on too much,” said Malkin.

But he also says, if you do fail at achieving your resolutions, that’s okay, it’s all part of the journey. Small changes go a long way.

“You want to be kind to yourself for doing it. So you want to keep in mind your larger later values that you are working towards. You are working in the right direction if you’re heading towards those larger later rewards and outcomes. So for instance, if I want to be a good father and a husband and an educator, then I should probably try to get a good night’s sleep and be as present as possible,” said Malkin.

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