Making New Year's Resolutions Stick - Queendom.com Releases Results Of Their Research On Goal Setting And Achievement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 9, 2012 -- Montreal, Canada - January 09, 2012 Queendom.com, a pioneer in online personality, career, and IQ assessments, unveils what it takes to achieve New Year's resolutions and goals. Their study results indicate that those who succeed in keeping them not only think differently, they also have specific goal-setting techniques that make their resolutions more feasible.

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Making New Year's Resolutions Stick - Queendom.com Releases Results Of Their Research On Goal Setting And Achievement

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If you're a regular gym-goer, you'll notice that the first week after a new year begins, there's a sudden influx of new faces. Your usual, favorite cardio machine is annoyingly occupied. There are barely any parking spaces when you arrive, or free lockers. But, like many New Year's resolutions, particularly those related to weight loss, they tend to taper off after a month or two. A few striving troopers will stick it out in the long-run, but most won't. What gives? What is it about those who manage to keep resolutions? In essence, what is the personality make-up of an achiever? Is it more than sheer stubbornness?

After collecting data from nearly 10,000 goal-setters, goal-achievers, and goal-abandoners, Queendom's research reveals that mental attitude, in particular, thinking like a winner, is the key to keeping resolutions. Queendom's results indicate that those who already view themselves as being a success are more likely to believe in themselves and in their abilities, and to have an internal locus of control: they believe that their success is due to their own effort rather than external, uncontrollable forces, such as luck or being at the right place at the right time.

Age too, seems to be a factor, but more in terms of how young people think. When compared to older age groups, respondents below the age of 18 seem to be more proactive when striving to achieve an objective, using techniques such as regularly evaluating the progress of their goal, motivating themselves, and breaking large goals into smaller, achievable steps. Young goal-setters were also more likely to reward themselves after reaching a goal.

"As other research studies have shown, our younger age groups seemed to be laser-focused on achieving a goal or resolution, no matter what - they are totally fixated on the end result," explains Dr. Jerabek, president of the company. "Granted, our data show that they are slightly more likely to change their mind about what they want to accomplish, but they have that headstrong determination in which they refuse to give up. They are not afraid of obstacles or challenges, whereas older adults might throw in the towel a little earlier when the road to their goal gets bumpy."

When comparing high goal-achievers to low goal-achievers, Queendom's analysis also reveals that:

- Only 10% of high goal-achievers compared to 32% of low goal-achievers will give up on a goal if it isn't progressing as expected.
- Only 13% of high goal-achievers compared to 35% of low goal-achievers will back away from a challenging goal that has a high likelihood of failure.
- Only 14% of high goal-achievers compared to 33% of low goal-achievers purposely set low expectations for themselves so that they won't end up disappointed if they fail.

- 49% of high goal-achievers vs. 26% of low goal-achievers make a detailed list of all the goals they want to achieve, and by when.
- 65% of high goal-achievers vs. 44% of low goal-achievers refuse to let obstacles stop them - they anticipate and plan for how to overcome them.
- 65% of high goal-achievers vs. 42% of low goal-achievers make it a point to plan out their future.
- 65% of high goal-achievers vs. 32% of low goal-achievers believe they have control over the success of their goals.

- 75% of high goal-achievers vs. 47% of low goal-achievers state their goal intentions in a positive way (e.g. "I will improve my performance at work" vs. "I will stop messing up and making stupid mistakes").
- 76% of high goal-achievers vs. 39% of low goal-achievers visualize how they will achieve a goal.
- 78% of high goal-achievers vs. 45% of low goal-achievers intentionally set challenging goals.
- 78% of high goal-achievers vs. 53% of low goal- achievers reward themselves after attaining a goal.
- 79% of high goal-achievers vs. 41% of low goal-achievers will, upon setting a goal or resolution, immediately start to pursue it. They are proactive.

- 81% of high goal-achievers vs. 39% of low goal-achievers will motivate themselves to keep trying when having difficulty reaching a goal.
- 82% of high goal-achievers vs. 65% of low goal-achievers are willing to seek out other people's help when having difficulty reaching a goal.

"It isn't that those who succeed at achieving their resolutions are more skilled or have better privileges and opportunities," explains Dr. Jerabek. "The difference is, those who want to accomplish something will 'think' success - they believe in themselves, they refuse to let anything hold them back, and they make concrete plans to get where they want to be. They aren't afraid to take destiny by the hand and say 'This is what I want. Now what can I do to make this happen?' On the other hand, those who doubt themselves will protect their ego by setting the bar too low or not setting clear goals at all. They may very well have that gung-ho attitude and be the first to join a gym in the new year, or decide they want to quit smoking, but this effort tends to dissipate rather quickly, partly because they don't really mean it. They visualize problems rather than success, and this frame of mind affects their thinking patterns, their emotions, and their behavior. It's hard to succeed when you expect failure."

Here are some goal-setting tips from Queendom to keep in mind when setting this year's resolutions:

1. Set SMART goals. Let's say your goal is to lose weight. This goal should be:

a. Specific: Rather than simply stating "I want to lose weight", have a number in mind, like "lose 20 lbs" or "be able to climb 5 flights of stairs without collapsing".

b. Measurable: Being able to track your progress at set intervals (every month, for example) is important - you'll see and appreciate the efforts of your labors. A monthly weight loss check can be number of inches lost, or amount of steps you can now climb.

c. Attainable: This is the key to success. Goals that are too easy won't motivate you; goals that are too hard will discourage you and are more likely to be abandoned. Set a goal that is high, but achievable. So in terms of a weight loss goal, don't aim for the "30 lbs in 30 days".

d. Relevant: Why are you setting this particular goal? Why do you want to achieve it? You'll be much more motivated to achieve a goal that means something to you. For example: "I want to lose weight so that I feel better about myself…so that I can keep up with my children/grand children…so that I can run in a charity marathon…etc."

e. Time-bound: Set a realistic deadline. This will keep your eyes on the prize. Setting a goal to be achieved at some vague time in the future is not going to stick. That being said, be willing to tweak your deadline if unexpected situations arise (for e.g. you're on track with your weight loss goal, but injure yourself and need to take a break.). A realistic weight loss deadline could be 20 lbs in 6 to 8 months.

2. Break down your goals into smaller steps and create milestones for yourself. If losing 20 lbs seems too overwhelming for example, break it down into smaller weight loss goals, like 3 lbs a month. Smaller goals will keep you motivated and make that one large goal seem more and more attainable.

3. Celebrate achievement of milestones. Give yourself small rewards for reaching a small goal, and plan for a major reward after achieving your main goal. For example, for every 5 lbs you lose, treat yourself to a night of watching your favorite shows (rewards don't have to be expensive). After reaching your goal weight, splurge on an outfit. Just make sure your rewards are not counterproductive, like treating yourself to a double chocolate sundae after putting all that effort into losing weight.

4. Enlist the help of others to keep you on track. Find someone who has either achieved the goal you're striving for, or someone who will simply be there to offer their emotional support. Having someone rooting for you can provide an amazing boost of motivation. For our weight loss example, this could mean finding a buddy to work out with, or joining an online weight loss forum. You can share milestones, weight loss tips, and motivate each other.

Those who wish to take Queendom's Goal-Setting Skills Test can go to: http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=699

About Queendom.com
Queendom.com is a subsidiary of PsychTests AIM Inc. Queendom.com is a site that creates an interactive venue for self-exploration with a healthy dose of fun. The site offers a full range of professional-quality, scientifically-validated psychological assessments that empower people to grow and reach their real potential through insightful feedback and detailed, custom-tailored analysis.

About PsychTests AIM Inc:

PsychTests AIM Inc. originally appeared on the internet scene in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a pre-eminent provider of psychological assessment products and services to human resource personnel, therapists, academics, researchers and a host of other professionals around the world. PsychTests AIM Inc. staff is comprised of a dedicated team of psychologists, test developers, researchers, statisticians, writers, and artificial intelligence experts. The company's research division, Plumeus Inc., is supported in part by the Research and Development Tax Credit awarded by Industry Canada.

Contact:
Ilona Jerabek, Ph.D., President
PsychTests AIM Inc.
http://testyourself.psychtests.com/

More information can be found online at http://corporate.psychtests.com/

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