The new year resolution theory of change is based on the Big Bang hypothesis. It assumes that change follows an event. And that the new year could conceivably be that event for a lot of people.
While it can happen – people have been known to make dramatic changes after events – my guess is that it only happens 20% of the time.
The competing hypothesis is the small actions hypothesis. I think 80% of change happens when we start taking small actions toward the intended goal.
This path has no big public pronouncements, dramatic awakenings, and/or self admonition. The ingredients are awareness, kindness, and persistence.
A little bit more exercise today, a touch more the following day, a bit of kindness when we miss, and a commitment to creating and maintaining streaks is the higher probability approach to driving the change we seek.
