- INSIDER polled more than 1,000 people living in the US about New Year's resolutions, specifically how long they should last.
- Most Americans agree that, if you're going to resolve to try something new in 2019, you should try to stick to it for at least a few months.
- That advice squares well with what scientists know about behavior change, but they also say it's best to start small and be specific.
On New Year's Eve, when spirits are bright, it can feel like a hopeful moment to pin one's ambitions on being a far better person in 2019. The truth, however, is a bit bleaker. We often aim too high with our new year's goals, with 80% of people failing New Year's resolutions by February.
But still, year after year, we continue to make (and break) these goals. Perhaps because we think we can make it last a little longer.
To get a sense for how long people think resolutions should last, INSIDER, a sister publication of Business Insider, asked more than 1,000 Americans "how many months is it reasonable to expect someone to keep a New Year's resolution?"
Here's a month-by-month breakdown of their expectations, and some tips to help you stick to your goals for longer than what others might expect.