Create A ‘No Choice Category’ To Make Resolutions Stick

Create A ‘No Choice Category’ To Make Resolutions Stick

With New Year’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about resolutions. In order to make those resolutions stick, The Wall Street Journal suggests putting them into a “no choice category”.

Photo by Mt23/small>

The idea here is to make your resolution an automatic behaviour. The Wall Street Journal explains:

Most people have some positive behaviours that they might not consistently want to do but they decide to always do anyway. Dr. Beck calls this the “no-choice category,” and places putting on a seat belt or getting dressed for work in this column. “We do them without struggle because we don’t give ourselves a choice,” she says. “It’s the choice that makes sticking to a resolution so difficult.” She suggests putting positive behaviours on a mental “no-choice” list and reaffirm them daily. “If you never give yourself the option to eat dessert, you’ll never have the struggle,” she says.

It’s tough to get yourself to that mental state, but it’s not impossible. Once you accept that your changes are a normal part of life, you won’t even notice them.

What’s the Best Way to Make a Resolution Stick? [The Wall Street Journal]


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