Making resolutions last longer than a week

Many people do not have enough willpower to make their New Year's resolutions last longer than a week, new research from the University of Hertfordshire has shown.

Good intentions to quit smoking, stop drinking alcohol at home or eat healthier food will be far more successful if people get support to meet their goals, according to health campaigners Change4Life.

Researchers followed 2,000 people who made a two-week resolution and found that those who relied solely on their own willpower failed even before the half-way stage.

The study, led by psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, monitored progress as the participants made healthy changes to their behaviour.

Just 26 per cent of those who relied on willpower managed to keep to their goal. However, 35 per cent of those who tried other techniques had better success.

The study also found that women were less resilient at sticking to resolutions, with just 30 per cent being successful in keeping to their healthy change compared to 37 per cent of men who took part. And those who told family and friends about their plans were far more likely to succeed in achieving their goal.

The research found other techniques for success included visualising or imagining a better life once the goal is achieved.

Professor Wiseman, the author of 59 Seconds: Think a little, Change a lot, which was the Independent on Sunday's 2010 paperback of the year, said: "All too often New Year's resolutions fail because people try to do too much too soon and don't seek the right support to help them achieve their goals.

"People who rely on willpower alone are much less likely to succeed than those who try other techniques like telling their friends, rewarding themselves for making progress and removing temptation from their surroundings.

"It is important that we use as much advice and support to see us through the New Year commitments, remembering that overall simple small changes work better and are more achievable in the long run."