Why to Keep Your New Year's Goals on the DL

Every time Jan 1 rolls around, we do the same things: 

1. curse our hangover 
2. eat sauerkraut
3. make goals

Perhaps around the dinner table or on social media, that third one gets shared far and wide. We tell the world of our grand schemes for accomplishing something incredible the next year, and are met with oohs and ahhs from those around us. 


THIS will be the year to lose 10 pounds. 
THIS will be the year to run a marathon. 
THIS will be the year to break the world record for hot dog eating. (anyone?)


​Regardless, we tell others our goals because we think that’s the best way to make them happen. We think that promises to ourselves are not enough –– me must include others. 

But is that really true?

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We often hear that social pressure is the best way to ensure that we keep going to that gym we just paid a lot of money up front to join, instead of falling off the bandwagon by January 10th, watching Jillian Michaels videos in our pajamas with friends, Ben and Jerry. 

That’s what I used to think, but entrepreneur Derek Sivers changed my mind. With what he calls the illusion of a “social reality”, telling other people our goals and getting the ‘atta girl of congratulations in advance, actually tricks our brains into being couch potatoes. 

Why? According to the happy brain chemicals that got released when you bragged about your big plans, your goal is as good as achieved. 

Cue the excuses and the avoidance of the scale. Maybe you shouldn’t have told anyone. 

Daring to adjust your typical New Year’s routine might be what makes all the difference. Who knows, this might just be the year that everything changes. 

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