Psychology Behind the intention and promise for the New Year

Every year sure. Between Christmas and New Year many Germans set the intention and promise to yourself, to be filled in the new year. But the results only slightly. So why will I do?

"I intend, in the new year would go regularly to a fitness studio", said 41-year-old Sabine. While the 65-year-old Hans intends to reduce schedules outside his interests. Like them, approximately 40% of Germans at the turn of the year set the intention, and promised to do so.

Good intentions are most often associated with stress reduction set, also use more time for family or friends, also do more exercise. Thus the results of a poll conducted Forsa research institutes every year, at the end of 2013. Since 2006, Forsa collect answers from 3,000 men and women across Germany. The new year for many people the proverbial fresh start, says psychology expert Jürgen Margraf of Bochum. On the back there is the principle of psychology, explained again. The first: the intention at the beginning of the year is the attempt to control his life. Stephan Grünewald, from market research institute in Cologne Rheingold agree. "I made a picture of yourself, as I wanted," explained Grünewald.

Fight Yourself
The second reason is, the optimism of people who do not is not always realistic, as described Margraf. People feel certainly can achieve something, if it was really intended and attempted. That way, people also opened several "battle zone", says psychologist Grünewald. He explained that if people promise to quit smoking or exercising more, then people will always struggle against nicotine addiction or laziness over to move. Therefore life so have other dynamics, although one could fail at any time.

Failure is often experienced people. Only half of the Germans who set the intention successfully implement longer than three months. Similarly Forsa poll results for the year 2014. For psychologists Margraf, showed unrealistic optimism. While the experts from Köln, Grünewald, the sort of self-deception. "As a matter of fact we often realize we will not be able to defend it," says Grünewald.

The experts give advice, so that the intention could be upheld until the end of the year. According Margraf, the plan should specify the kongret level, and make a note if successful. Exercising does not mean jogging as far as 10 miles on January 1, but added little by little, obviously Margraf.
Grünewald also recommends setting targets early. But more importantly, the target should be realistic.

Taking into account the record and Thoroughly

He himself always provide a few hours between Christmas and New Year, to take down the targets in the agenda of the new year. A year later he looked back his notes, said Grünewald. He told me, the main goal in 2012 is to write a third book, and it was successfully achieved. But other intentions, such as the renewal at the institute he leads, is not achieved.

Jürgen Margraf also establishes certain intentions, but usually not on January 1, but on her birthday. One of its stated intention every year is to reduce stress. "It was only occasionally achieved," he said.