Maintaining new habits in 2024

By Rania Sa’adi,
Rapid Transformational Therapist& Clinaicl Hypnotherapist
A Spoonful of Wellness

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, we enthusiastically declare our resolutions for the year ahead. We promise ourselves to eat healthier, exercise more, quit bad habits and work towards our goals.

However, as the days turn into weeks and months, our commitment to these resolutions often fades. Studies have shown, that around 80 per cent of New Year’s resolutions get abandoned by the month of February, but it doesn’t have to be that way. How can we maintain our New Year’s resolutions?

5 Rules to fulfil your resolutions

One thing to note is that your mind is governed by a set of rules that dictate your thoughts, behaviours, and ultimately, your ability to maintain habits. And, if you understand these rules, you will be able to harness the power of the mind. Seems simple enough, right?

Here are the 5 top rules of the mind that will help you maintain your resolutions:

Rule 1: Your mind believes what you tell it 

The first rule of the mind is that it believes what you tell it. When setting New Year’s resolutions, it’s crucial to frame your thoughts positively. Instead of saying, “I will quit smoking,” say, “I am a healthy non-smoker.” By adopting this positive self-talk, you reprogramme your mind to accept your desired habit as a reality. The mind becomes aligned with your goals, making it easier to stay committed.

Rule 2: Your mind needs clear instructions

Another fundamental rule of the mind is that it requires clear and specific instructions. Vague resolutions like “I want to lose weight” or “I’ll exercise more” lack the specificity needed for success.

Instead, break your goals into small, actionable steps.

For example, “I will walk for 30 minutes every morning before work,” or “I will replace sugary snacks with fruits and vegetables for my afternoon snack.” Clear instructions provide a roadmap for your mind to follow, making it easier to stay on track.

Rule 3: Your mind learns by repetition

Consistency is key to maintaining habits. To make your New Year’s resolutions stick, commit to practising them daily. The more you repeat your desired behaviours, the more they become ingrained in your subconscious mind, as new neural pathways. Over time, these actions become second nature and your resolutions become lifelong habits.

Rule 4: Your mind responds to images

Visualising your goals is a powerful technique because your mind responds to images. Create a mental image of what achieving your New Year’s resolutions will look and feel like.

Imagine yourself enjoying the benefits of your hard work, whether it’s a healthier body, a clutter-free home, or a successful career. This visualisation technique reinforces your commitment and motivation.

Rule 5: Your mind loves familiarity

Finally, your mind prefers what it knows and iscomfortable with. To make lasting changes, you must replace old habits with new ones. Instead of trying to eliminate a bad habit, focus on replacing it with a healthier one. For example, if you’re trying to quit smoking, replace the habit of lighting up with deepbreathing exercises or chewing sugar-free gum.

Maintaining New Year’s resolutions requires more than just setting goals; it involves understanding and harnessing the power of the mind. By applying these simple rules of the mind, you can increase your chances of turning your resolutions into lifelong habits.

As you embark on your journey to achieve your New Year’s goals, remember that the power to make lasting change resides within your mind. Use it wisely to transform your resolutions into reality.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine