Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work: A Better Way to Achieve Your Goals
I hope you realise that every day is a fresh start for you. That every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written.
— Juansen Dizon
For years now, we’ve been hearing that setting New Year’s resolutions is the best, maybe even the only way, to kickstart a new chapter and achieve our personal goals. Every December, social media floods us with posts about the magic of resolutions, promising a new you by the end of the year. And since everyone seems to be saying it, it must be true… Right? Uhh… no.
I think most of this advice comes from a place of good intentions. But it’s easy advice. And not only does one specific method not work for everyone, but New Year’s resolutions definitely aren’t the best option out there.
Also, how do you know that the “experts” are following their own advice? Or that they’re actually achieving their goals with this strategy? It seems to me that you can spend a lot of time feeling frustrated or like a failure because the resolution approach isn’t working for you when you’re not the problem!
I know because back when I was trying to make big changes in my life, I set New Year’s resolutions religiously. I’d start the year full of excitement and motivation, but by March (or much sooner), I’d find myself slipping back into old habits. It left me feeling defeated, like I lacked the willpower or discipline to succeed. But the problem wasn’t necessarily me; it was the ideas that the resolution system proposed.
Instead, I discovered a more sustainable way to set and achieve goals—a method that actually works, feels authentic, and keeps you motivated all year long. Let me share what I’ve learned!
What’s Not So Great About New Year’s Resolutions
Here’s the thing. New Year’s resolutions aren’t a good idea because:
They rely too much on willpower. Resolutions often focus on cutting things out or forcing drastic changes, which can be exhausting to maintain.
They’re vague or unrealistic. “Lose weight” or “get organised” sounds great, but without a clear plan, it’s hard to make any progress.
They’re tied to an arbitrary start date. Why wait until January 1 to improve your life?
They don’t account for setbacks. Life happens, and resolutions often don’t leave room for flexibility or recovery from missteps.
Want proof? Studies show that about 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. That’s a lot of people feeling discouraged early in the year!
So what can you do to achieve your goals? Fortunately, there’s a better way. Instead of relying on resolutions, let’s try a different approach.
A Better Way to Achieve Your Goals
Here’s what I did to finally make lasting progress on my goals without the pressure of New Year’s resolutions.
Step 1: Get Super Clear About Your Goals
I started by getting crystal clear on what I really wanted to achieve. For me, it wasn’t just about vague aspirations like “being healthier” or “getting ahead at work.” I defined specific, meaningful outcomes like improving my energy levels by walking 10,000 steps daily or completing a professional development course by June.
In addition, make sure the goals you are setting align with your values, i.e. the most important things to you. If you stay true to your values, your goals will become more achieveable and realistic to your current lifestyle and circumstances.
When your goals are clear, they’re easier to visualise and break down into actionable steps. Skipping this step often leads to aimless effort and frustration.
Step 2: Focus on Habits, Not Outcomes
Instead of obsessing over the end result, I shifted my focus to building small, consistent habits and behaviours that would naturally lead to my desired outcome. For example:
Instead of “lose 10kg,” I committed to meal prepping every Sunday and avoiding sugary or over-processed foods.
Instead of “write a book,” I made it a habit to write 500 words every morning.
Habits are the building blocks of success. They’re wayyy easier to maintain than big resolutions and create a sense of accomplishment that keeps you motivated throughout the year.
Step 3: Make a Plan and Track Your Progress
Once I identified my habits, I created a plan to incorporate them into my daily routine. I also tracked my progress to stay accountable and celebrate small wins. This could be as simple as using a habit tracker app or jotting down achievements in a journal. Tracking helps you see how far you’ve come, which boosts motivation and keeps you on track, even when the initial excitement of setting resolutions fades.
Step 4: Stay Flexible and Adjust as Needed
Life rarely goes as planned, so I gave myself permission to adapt. If a habit wasn’t working, I tweaked it. If I missed a day, I didn’t let guilt derail me. Flexibility is key to maintaining momentum and avoiding burnout.
Next Steps
Resolutions may be popular and can help you start to make positive changes, but they’re not the only way to set and achieve your goals. By focusing on clarity, small habits, planning, and flexibility, you can create a sustainable system that works for you.
The good news is, you don’t need to wait until the New Year. You can begin today, with a method that feels authentic and achievable. If you want more help setting goals and building habits that stick along with professional and compassionate guidance, consider booking an initial counselling session with me! I’d be honoured to facilitate positive change and growth in your life!
Click here to book your 1:1 session with me today >>
Questions or comments? Drop them below—I can’t wait to hear what you think!
