Why Reinvention Beats Resolutions

New Year's Day often brings a mix of regret and hope, pushing people to make resolutions. These resolutions are usually lists of habits people want to change. But, research shows that reinvention works better than resolutions.

Why Reinvention Works Better

Reinvention is different from resolutions. It changes the way people see themselves and their habits. This makes new behaviors feel more natural. There are three main reasons why reinvention works better than resolutions.

1. Distancing from Past Failures

Reinvention helps people distance themselves from past failures. Resolutions often remind people of their past mistakes, making it harder to succeed. Reinvention uses what researchers call the "fresh-start effect." This means that people are more likely to pursue goals after meaningful events, like New Year's Day or a birthday. These events give people a clean slate to start fresh.

2. Focusing on Identity

Reinvention focuses on identity, not just intentions. Resolutions often rely on vague goals like "I'll exercise more." Reinvention, on the other hand, recasts identity. For example, instead of saying "I'll try to run," someone might say "I'm someone who goes for a run on Sundays." This makes the behavior feel more like a part of who they are, making it easier to stick to.

3. Building Habits with Small Actions

Reinvention uses small, consistent actions to build habits. Many resolutions fail because people expect too much too soon. Reinvention focuses on small, consistent actions in stable contexts. For example, someone who wants to become a reader might start by reading one page after breakfast. These small actions add up over time, making the habit stronger.

The Four-Step Plan to Reinvention

To use reinvention, people can follow a four-step plan:

1. Pick a landmark event that signals a fresh start.
2. Define a new identity statement in the present tense.
3. Create one or two implementation intentions that tie behavior to context.
4. Lower the activation threshold of the new behavior by redesigning their environment.

Conclusion

Reinvention won't fix major problems overnight. But, it's a more effective way to make long-lasting changes. Instead of relying on willpower, reinvention uses the environment, the calendar, and a person's sense of self as allies.