Insights from Dr. Lou Manza

As the calendar flips to a new year, millions of people embrace the tradition of setting New Year’s resolutions. But why do we feel compelled to create these goals, and why do so many of them fail? Dr. Lou Manza, Chair and Professor of Psychology at Lebanon Valley College, shares insights into the psychology behind resolutions and the role of grit in achieving them.

Why We Set Resolutions

According to Dr. Manza, the start of a new year inspires people to take a fresh look at themselves and their habits. “Everyone has issues they have to deal with—some big, some small—and being able to address them effectively provides a sense of accomplishment,” he explains. This innate desire for self-improvement motivates many to set resolutions.

Why Resolutions Often Fail

Dr. Manza believes that while resolutions can be achievable, success depends on their realism and the effort people are willing to invest. For instance, goals like weight loss require consistent effort over time, including dietary control and regular exercise. However, this persistence is where many fall short.

“On average, people break their resolutions within one to two weeks,” Dr. Manza notes, referencing research from Baylor College of Medicine. “Change is hard, and many likely don’t have the grit to persist through the difficulty.”

The problem often lies in unrealistic expectations. “Too many people try for the big change right out of the gate,” Dr. Manza says. “When it gets hard, they stop.”

The Power of Small, Achievable Goals

Dr. Manza emphasizes that smaller, incremental goals are more achievable and can build momentum over time. “Trying to eat well for one meal is a lot more manageable than committing to a week of healthy eating,” he explains. Similarly, a one-minute walk today can grow into an hour-long walk over two months with gradual increases.

Grit: The Key to Sticking With Resolutions

At the heart of successful resolutions lies grit—persistence and consistency. Dr. Manza describes grit as the ability to keep working toward a goal regularly, even when it’s challenging. “This establishes a habit, and once that habit locks in, it gets progressively easier to engage in the desired behavior,” he says.

By focusing on persistence and breaking goals down into smaller, manageable steps, people can transform their resolutions from fleeting aspirations into lasting habits. As Dr. Manza puts it, “Just keep working toward your goal. Consistency is the foundation of success.”

As the new year approaches, his advice is clear: aim for realistic, incremental changes, and rely on the power of grit to turn resolutions into realities.