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Can gender influence how long after the ball drops people drop the ball on their New Year's resolutions? According to a study of psychologists it can. Prof Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, found 9 out of 10 resolutions are doomed to failure, but there are ways each gender can improve those odds for themselves.
Women were 10% more likely to succeed at keeping their resolutions if they are encouraged to persist in the face of setbacks. Sharing resolutions with family and friends can also help establish accountability.
Twenty-two percent of men in the study found more success when they had been asked to set a goal for themselves. For example, instead of trying to lose weight, they would try to lose a pound each week. Focusing on rewards, such as becoming more attractive to women, also helped.
"Men may be more likely to adopt a macho attitude and have unrealistic expectations, and so simple goal setting helps them achieve more," said Prof Wiseman. "Likewise, women might be reluctant to tell others about their resolutions and so benefit more from the social support provided by friends and family once they have made their goals public."
