New Year’s Resolutions: A DISA Drama in Four Colours

Sitting at home with 'Man Flu', my good lady is making ready everything in prepartion for the clock striking midnight this New Year’s Eve. The M&S non alcoholic champagne corks are ready to hit the ceiling as my family, friends and colleagues across the globe scramble to declare their bold New Year’s resolutions.

However, if you’ve ever stopped to watch the chaos unfold, you’ll notice that the way people approach these lofty goals depends heavily on their primary behavioural trait and colour in the DISA behavioural model. Let me break it down for you?

Red - Dominant: “I Will Dominate This Year”

Ah ha, the Red - Dominant. These individuals don’t just make resolutions, they declare them as edicts for the universe to obey. Picture a Red - Dominant standing at the party, glass raised high...

“This year, I’m starting my own business, running a marathon, AND learning Mandarin!”

Reds are not interested in your weak suggestions for "being more mindful." They want results, preferably yesterday. January 1st for a Red - Dominant involves purchasing a high end planner, joining three gyms, and signing up for a "How to Crush It" webinar. By January 7th, they’re already halfway through the marathon training plan or giving the gym manager a piece of their mind because the equipment wasn’t up to scratch. SOunds a bit like me with my ADHD. 

Yellow - Influential: “This Year, I’m Going to Change the World!”

The Yellow - Dominant individuals make resolutions like they’re writing the plot of an epic movie starring themselves.

"2024 will be my year!” they’ll proclaim, likely from a social media post featuring sparklers and a cheeky cocktail. Their goals are huge, aspirational and just a little vague...

“I’m going to spread positivity, travel to all seven continents, and write a bestseller!”

By mid January, the Yellow - Influential has already told 20 people about their plans, started a vision board, and signed up for an improv class they’ll probably forget about by February. But let’s be real, even if they don’t complete their resolutions, they’ll have fun along the way and everyone else will hear about it.

Green - Staedfast: “I’ll Try... But No Promises”

Our calm, peace loving Green - Steadfast individual will approach New Year’s resolutions with the same enthusiasm they’d have for assembling IKEA furniture, yes, with a gentle dread. Resolutions like "I’ll exercise more" or "I’ll finally declutter the attic" are whispered quietly, lest anyone expect them to commit publicly.

On January 1st, Green - Steadfasts can be found scrolling Amazon for yoga mats and storage bins, but heaven forbid they actually buy them because decisions take time! By mid-January, they’ve set up a cosy nook to “think about their goals,” but the idea of change feels... overwhelming. If they make progress, it’ll be steady and unassuming, but you know what? They’re probably the happiest of the lot.

Blue - Analytical: “My SMART Goals Are Ready”

Now for the Blue - Analytical (My wife), the meticulous planners of the world. A Blue - Analytical individual doesn’t just set a resolution, they create a spreadsheet or a mental spreadsheet.

“I’ll lose 12 pounds in six months, saving £0.75 per day for a new Fitbit while sticking to a scientifically validated meal plan.”

By New Year’s Day, they’ve already analysed historical resolution success rates and created Gantt charts for each goal. While everyone else is winging it, the Blue - Analytical is the one quietly succeeding in the corner. However, by February, their Achilles' heel might appear: perfectionism. If they deviate even slightly from the plan, it could lead to a full existential crisis. But don’t worry, they’ve probably got a contingency spreadsheet for that too.

The DISA Behavioural Model: The Real Winner

As hilarious as it is to observe these different behaviours, the truth is that our DISA colours and the associated traits influence us in ways we often overlook. The Red - Dominant remind us to dream big, the Yellow - Influential teach us to keep things light hearted and fun, the Green - Steadfasts keep us grounded, and the Blue - Analyticals show us the power of planning.

So, as you prepare your own resolutions, embrace your colour, but maybe take a leaf from the others too. Be bold like a Red, optimistic like a Yellow, steady like a Green, and organised like a Blue. Or just skip the resolutions altogether, grab another glass of alcohol free prosecco, and wait for the gyms to empty out by February.

Here’s to a colourful 2025!