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12 principles to break old habits, starting with make no New Year resolution ill-prepared
The start of every new year is the season for change resolutions. Stale platitudes are to lose weight, eat healthier, drink less alcohol, exercise more, reduce stress, improve relationships, and save money. This year, refreshing pledges are gaining in popularity, like reduce your carbon footprint, eat more vegan, waste less, and recycle more.
No matter what the resolution is, within weeks, the majority avowing to change their lifestyle see their resolve crumble. Soon up to 80% pack in their attempt because they are unable to counter the rising crescendo of fallacies telling them their aim is pointless, unnecessary or just plain silly — a dire prospect.
So what can you do? The Internet is full of cliché advice on how to make change stick. Set positive and specific goals, chunk into attainable steps, make an overt commitment, and believe in yourself. Every year the same old, same old. Yet, these tips clearly do not help the overwhelming majority to succeed. But fear not. If you are already dreading the likelihood of falling short on resolutions you recently made, then these mutually reinforcing rules of thumb can help.
