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An unconventional approach to New Year's resolutions...


30 Days to success

According to researcher John Norcross and his colleagues, who published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, approximately 50 percent of the population makes resolutions each New Year. Research also shows that the majority of people are no longer sticking to these resolutions 15 days later! It's not suprising that most New Year's resolutions fail. When you've just had two weeks holiday, eating and drinking, are you in the best frame of mind to begin creating a new habit? Probably not. What about you take an unconvential approach and arrive at New Year's day having already created a new habit? Here's how.

A an interesting blog by Steve Pavlina argues that you can go a long way to establishing a new habit in just 30 days. He calls this The 30 Day Trial - 30 Days to Success.

In a nutshell:- Pavlina says the best way to form a new challenge is to think about it as a temporary change. He says this makes it less frightening. Set yourself a 30 day challenge and see how it goes. He discusses that the first few weeks are the hardest, but during this time, it is comforting to know there is an end in sight, this doesn’t have to be forever. He says from experience at the end of 30 days you usually find you feel so good from developing the new habit you decide to stick at it. If it's has too hard you can adapt the habit; make it more manageable. You might even choose to extend the trial period. Worst case, you decide this habit is not one that is going to stick. Well at least you did it for 30 days. It’s a powerful argument.

One last thing... Pavlina suggests people embarking on 30 Day Trails blog about their experiences. Now you haven’t got time for that as a busy A level student but... there is evidence that suggests logging your progress, keeping a record is useful. For example – keep a tally of how many times to you have that intense study session in the library. The progress of logging your behaviour makes you think about what you are doing and can motivate you to stick to a new routine. Try using coach.me to record your progress.

The A level Mindset 30 Day Trial

Task 1 – Think of one good study habit that you will aim to develop over the next 30 days. Try to be as clear and specific as possible. For example, this month I will aim to do at least 3 hours a week focused independent study during my free periods.

This month I will................

Task 2 – Consider a 'habit loop' you need to establish and note down your reflections. Look at the examples in the section on habit loops to give you some guidance. Then write out the statement below.

My motivation for establishing this new habit is.........

The thing/s that will cue/trigger my new behaviour are........(consider time / location/activity)

The routine I am going to establish is ..........

Remeber to take small steps. Many people quit because the goal is too big requiring too much effort and action all at once

Good Luck.


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