Change that Works for You: The Science of New Year's Resolutions

As we prepare to turn our calendars from 2020 to 2021, making yet another change might be one of the last things we're looking forward to. With an unpredictable year behind us thanks largely to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many of us are looking to 2021 to signal a return to normalcy. In that sense, we may not be excited by the prospect of change. There are, however, changes that work to our advantage. Hence the ongoing popularity of New Year's Resolutions.

The Power of Positive Change

According to research published by Forbes, corporations that display strengths in development, action, and flexibility have a significant advantage over their competitors:

Companies that score highly on these factors have what we call stronger "change power" and are significantly more profitable, with margins twice those of companies with lower change power.

By understanding their capacity for change, these corporations are able to chart a dynamic path forward.

The same can be true for us as individuals. As we head into a new year, understanding our capacity for change helps us imagine the possibilities of a more dynamic future.

The Key to Success: Add Value

We've all heard the bad press: most people who make New Year's Resolutions wind up dropping them within a few weeks. While that's true, it's also true that some succeed.

Research scientists have uncovered some secrets behind why certain people enjoy positive outcomes while others do not. The key to keeping your New Year's Resolution, it seems, is to make one that adds value to your life rather than one that requires you to give something up.

A few great habits to consider adding in 2021:

• 5-minute bursts of deep breathing/meditation
• optimum hydration plan 
• regular stretching routine
• daily cycling

While most "additive" resolutions won't drastically alter your life in an instant, they provide the sort of practical, achievable change that can actually make a difference.