[Editor’s Note: This article written by MsKibibi was originally published on The CoCo Magazine.]
We are well into 2014 and I’m guessing that for most of you, your hair and other resolutions are distant memories. It’s not that you didn’t begin with the best intentions. You did. However, you may not have taken the most effective approach to achieve your aspirations.
So, here are 3 reasons why your hair resolutions weren’t successful.
1. Resolutions aren’t concrete goals.
A resolution is merely a decision to do something. For example, you decided to take better care of your hair because you want healthier, longer hair this year. Sure, it sounds good. But how would you measure your progress? How would you create a plan of action with such a vague approach?
2. You try to create an entirely new lifestyle.
Making major life changes all at once is overwhelming. It would be great if you could just tweak your inner programming like computer software to get instant results. Alas, that’s not how your brain works. So while deciding to exercise more, eat healthier, make new friends, get a promotion, volunteer, find love and take better care of your hair are all wonderful things to aspire to, doing them all at once in an attempt to create a new “you” is unsustainable.
3. You don’t forgive yourself for small setbacks.
In life you will always have setbacks along the way towards your goals. However, we generally learn more from our failures than our successes. Even knowing that logically, we are oftentimes quick to dismiss the entire process and throw out the “resolution” simply because we have a hiccup.
Now that you understand why your resolutions weren’t successful, here are three tips for success:
1. Set a specific goal.
A goal is something you can measure. Stating you want to take better care of your hair isn’t specific and therefore it’s difficult to measure your success. I have a goal of retaining 6” of hair this year. This goal gives me a tangible figure I can measure. Additionally, I can work backwards from my goal to create a plan of action with milestones to track my progress.
2. Slowly change your habits.
You will achieve greater success if you make small changes to your current habits. When you are consistent and successful with the smaller things, you have a greater chance that the change will “stick” and motivate you to make other small changes. For example, you can start by moisturizing your hair daily. After that becomes routine, then you can add another change such as covering your hair with a bonnet at night.
3. Post, tweet, and ink it.
Sharing a goal or putting it in writing makes it “real.” Allow others to help motivate you and hold you accountable by sharing your goals. If your goal is personal, create a Pinterest board, write a list, record it in your blog, etc. It’s also helpful to capture your hair journey in pictures; the pictures provide a reference point and visual proof of your progress.
Research shows it takes 21 days of consistent repetition to create new habits. Working towards a goal with a partner can help keep you motivated and on track. I created the Love Your Hair Challenge so we could work towards our hair goals together, as a team. The multi-phase challenge will guide you through the process of effectively creating a new regimen in a sustainable manner, and help keep you motivated on your journey. To join the challenge, visit the Kibibi Hair Facebook group at www.Facebook.com/groups/KibibiHair.