February 7th is the day we give up.

According to experts February 7th is the dreaded day.

It’s the day we abandon our resolutions because, as research indicates, 38 days after we greet the New Year filled with hope— we quit.

On this date all the things we felt unflaggingly optimistic about and all the stuffs we thought we could accomplish this year fall by the wayside.

Why 38 days?

The answer is as complicated and as simple as something called effort disparity.

When we set our resolutions we feel fearless. We’re aware attaining them requires a certain level of work and tenacity, but we believe we can do it.

The problem arises, however, when reality sets in and we learn/experience success will require a shitton (technical term) more effort than anticipated.

In essence, because we’re flawed humans, we envision goal achievement happening the same way my fave Today Show Ambush Makeover segments go down.

One minute we’re utterly disheveled and the next, in the blink of an over-mascara’ed eye, we’re polished, primped, perfection.

38 days into our personal “Ambush New Year’s Resolution” segment it dawns on us it’s going to take a lot longer than 38 days.

And we surrender.

But not this year.

After much rumination I present you with 3 ways we will defeat the experts’ prognostications, surpass the 38 day mark and cruise toward New Year’s resolution achievement.

 

Vent, b*tch & moan.

Yep. Do it. The act of complaining serves us in the same way swearing helps mitigate pain.

Kvetch about the challenges surrounding the creation of new habits. Lament the fact change is haaaard and these goals take sooo much work! Give yourself generous a whining-break from focusing on working/executing.

But then? After you’ve bellyached? Embrace that stuff, acknowledge anything worth having requires work and get back to it.

Pro-tip: Whether in your head, on paper or to a friend set a time-frame for your bitch session. Short stints serve as a booster shots. Longer lamentations bring us permanently down.

Add an easy new habit.

Sure this reads like an obvious, easier said than done tip, but it’s not. The key here is to find an easily added new habit to trigger the resolution you’re struggling to conquer.

If, for example, your resolution is to drink more water (raises hand) perhaps the ‘easy new habit‘ is the act of buying a case of Lacroix each time you go to the grocery (also raises hand).

The addition of this new Lacroix purchasing habit may appear simplistic or silly–it’s not. Setting yourself up for success in one area of your life (home) provides the needed momentum to achieve your goal/not give up.

Stop, drop, & laugh.

I wrote a book. There’s an entire chapter in said book addressing the importance of laughter in healthy living.

• Laughter isn’t frivolous it’s a full-body exercise which burns calories, elevates heart rate, and engages our core.
• Laughter is nature’s antidepressant and releases feel good chemicals like dopamine in the brain.
• Laughter boosts will power.

And, for the more serious-types among us, studies indicate our brains cannot differentiate between authentic laughter and faux/manufactured giggles.

The bottom line here is I believe in us.

I know we can do this and I know we will do this through b*tching (and moving on), snagging (the easy habits), and giggling (till we’ve got will power again).

What about you?

• Had you heard about the ominous nature of February 7th?

• Has your motivation toward achieving New Year’s resolutions started to wane?