Around this time of year, there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the futility of our annual New Year’s resolutions ritual.  Some decry the fact that most resolutions seem to bite the dust faster than a power vac.  Others believe that making resolutions is just an exercise in self-deception.

Is the situation really this hopeless?

Whenever I wonder how effective New Year’s resolutions are, I review the data from psychologist John Norcross’s authoritative research.   The facts might surprise you.  The research shows that:

• 46% percent of people who make resolutions have kept them at the 6 month mark, compared with only 4% of people who said they wanted to change but didn’t make resolutions.
• People who make resolutions and fail are still 10 times more likely to succeed in the future than their counterparts who wanted to change but didn’t make resolutions.
• About 20% of people who make resolutions this year will have maintained their vows two years from now, if past research is a guide to the future. 

Given that habits are hard to change, the fact that one out of five people can maintain their changes for two years is nothing short of...well, not a miracle, but pretty good.

So I say that the glass is 1/5 full. 

The big question is: Why do people who make resolutions do so much better than those who want to change but don’t make resolutions?

I think the main reason for the success of resolutions, at any time of year, is this:  A resolution lets you know that you’ve made the decision to change.  Once you’ve decided to change, you’ve turned a certain corner in your thinking.  Just this single step alone—vowing to change—is a powerful stride forward and, for some, an existential crossroads. 

My resolution?  I’m going to post a blog every two weeks. More than that would just annoy you, my readers, and distract you from your own goals.  Less than that and it’s too hard to follow the conversation.   Okay, I’ve made my resolution and made it public.  Hmm, today is Jan. 7.  So expect my next post around Jan. 21. 

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As we approach the New Year's resolution season, it's time to consider those self-improvement goals for 2010.  Or should we?  After all, we've got enough on our hands with a ragged economy, two wars, and a health care fracas, not to mention holiday dinners to prepare.

If you are feeling too stressed to tackle a mega-goal like weight loss, daily exercise, or learning to fight fair with your spouse, try a mini-goal.  Make it important enough to make a difference but "too small to fail."

The idea of changing a habit in small steps is not exactly a closely guarded secret.  There is a government website about it: www.smallstep.gov.  There is an excellent blog: www.zenhabits.net.  There are wonderful books, each with a different angle on the topic:  Do One Thing Different, by Bill O'Hanlon; Getting Things Done, by David Allen; One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way, by Robert Maurer, just to name a few favorites. 

Consider one of these too-small-to-fail mini-goals:

If your motivator is "peace of mind," make your mini-goal: "Put my keys in the same place every day."

If your motivator is "vitality and alertness," your mini-goal could be: "Go to bed 15 minutes earlier."

If your motivator is "better relationships," try this mini-goal: "Take one deep breath instead of interrupting."

Your mini-goal must suit your personality. I used to try to meditate every morning before work.  I had a great motivator and mantra: "Keep my brain sane."  My goal was small enough--a measly 5 minutes--but I spent most of my "meditation time" sneaking peeks at my watch, worried I would be late for work.

My change goal was small, but not "too small to fail" because I hadn't taken one thing into account: me.

Inspired by the idea of "doing one thing different," I changed my meditation time to the afternoon after large chunks of my work had been done.  Now I could focus. I'm not winning any guru awards, but I'm up to 10 minutes a day. 

About 55% of New Year's resolutions are toast by February 1.  If your New Year's resolution is too small to fail, you can beat those odds.

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Question: How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb?

Answer:  Only one, but the light bulb has to really want to change.

I love this old joke so much that I began my book, Changepower! 37 Secrets to Habit Change Success, with it.  It boils down everything to one essential question: What will it take to make the "light bulb" really want to change?

I'm happy to report that there are a lot of things you don't need to get motivated to change a habit or pursue a goal.  You don't need self-esteem or confidence.  You don't need to "believe in yourself."  You don't even need willpower.

What you do need to be motivated is just one thing: a motivator.

A motivator is a value, goal, vision of your future, or quality that you desire deeply in both your head and heart.  It's something you consciously choose to guide you down a better life path.

To quit smoking, for example, "living a long, healthy life" might be the value you decide to live by.  To lose weight, you might decide that "being a good role model for my children" would be worth a few sacrifices.  To start a non-profit corporation, you might choose "prevent helpless children from dying of malaria" as your motivator.  To remember to smear on your sunscreen, you could use a "less-than-noble" motivator--vanity.  No cancer AND no wrinkles!

As long as your motivator doesn't hurt you or anyone else, is freely and consciously chosen, and works to move you, it's a good motivator.

"Having motivation" may sound like the same thing as "having a motivator." But most people don't believe they have motivation--a term that conjures up images of Marine-like self-discipline or some mysterious, innate quality that only a fortunate few possess.

A powerful motivator is something everyone can have, because everyone can choose a motivator.  You just need to find something of vital importance to you.  Becoming dedicated to your motivator might not happen overnight.  But once you choose a motivator that you value, you can begin to cultivate a "whatever it takes" attitude.  "He who has a why can endure any how, said Friedrich Nietzsche, and he was right!

As I was writing Changepower, I discovered the power of a good motivator.  The vision of my book-to-be was such a strong motivator that it kept me going through rejection, self-doubt, and confusion.  I was motivated because I had a motivator!

So, if you want to be motivated, start by asking yourself, "What's my motivator?"