![]() ![]() Setting smaller, more attainable targets (for example, to recycle their drink cans rather than everything) can increase their self-belief and having as many reminders around can help too (signs, recycling receptacles, articles etc).Disputed (since 19 February 2014 9 years ago ( )) So if we want our children to stick to their pledges, for example, to recycle more, they need to really believe that this is important for the planet or for their local environment, they need to see the benefits it will bring them or others (for example, less pollution or local landfill) and there needs to be minimal effort or cost (a recycling bin in their room is easier than one in the driveway). In addition, our chances of sticking to change are increased by our own self-belief that we can do it (this is termed ‘self-efficacy’), as well as having plenty of ‘cues to action’ that remind us to stick to our plans. The more we believe in the benefits of the change we are advocating, the higher the chances of our sticking to them – but the more we believe those changes will cost us (in terms of effort for example), the less likely we are to stick to them. Psychologists can use motivation models to predict how long resolutions are likely to last. Obviously these are not the messages we want our children to internalise when we encourage them to set their New Year challenges. This helps them develop unhealthy core beliefs about themselves – ‘I am a quitter’ or ‘If something is hard, I give up’. Worse than that, they can learn that setting targets is pointless because they will never have the resilience and staying power to follow them through. They are merely learning that promises are there to be broken, that attempts at self-improvement never last and that self-reflection is not really a worthwhile pursuit. ![]() Teens who fall into a cycle of making self-improvement promises on January 1st and forgetting all about them until the following New Year are not reaping any benefits – in fact they are picking up unhealthy habits that can last a lifetime. One issue with young people setting New Year’s resolutions is the same as with everyone else – too many pledges seem to be dropped within weeks or even days of the last New Year’s Eve firework. Goal-setting helps young people plan ahead, to understand that some things take time to achieve and to develop ‘stickability’ – the ability to stick with something even if it seems hard to reach. The very act of setting goals and following them through can be helpful too, irrespective of what the target behaviour actually is. This annual pause allows young people to press ‘reset’ to try to ensure that they are on course to develop into the kind of adults they hope to become. Whether it is a desire to be kinder, to eat more healthily or to do homework on time, these all involve self-reflection, acknowledging weaknesses and a desire to overcome them. New Year’s resolutions can help teenagers on that journey by helping them identify where more effort is needed – and setting targets to get to where they want to be. Learning control of our own bodies, minds and behaviour is a key part of growing up – the self-centred baby who cannot control their body much less their actions, must evolve into a self-sufficient adult who is fully responsible for their own behaviour. Of course, this comes hot on the tail of the time of year where self-indulgence is positively encouraged, so it offers an opportunity to provide a bit of balance. One of the big pluses of the annual January pledge fest is that it forces us to examine our flaws and weaknesses and exert some much-needed self-control. ![]()
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