Do NOT Make Any New Year's Resolutions

Want to make some changes this year? Don't make resolutions. 

Roughly half of all individuals who set New Year's Resolutions abandon them by the close of January, and merely 8-9% of Americans who make resolutions ultimately see them through. If you aim to enhance your prospects of achieving your goals and transforming your habits in 2024, consider the following strategies:

Avoid Resolutions Altogether

Instead of making resolutions like "get a new job" or "exercise more," which tend to be broad and overwhelming, don't make any resolutions at all. The mere act of creating resolutions and struggling to keep them can elevate anxiety levels. Instead, set an intention for the year and create carefully defined goals.

Opt for Intentions Over Resolutions

Choose to set an intention for the year, encapsulating it in a single word or a concise phrase that reflects how you want to feel or what you aim to achieve.  It’s about shifting you into a mindset that supports the guiding principle you want to live by in the coming year. Whether it's "peace" or "growth," or any other meaningful phrase, use it as a reminder of your intention for the year.

Thoughtful Goal Selection

Consider your aspirations and narrow your focus down to 1 or 2 specific areas. Attempting to make too many changes simultaneously can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, resulting in the abandonment of your efforts.

Craft Tangible, SMART Goals

Ditch vague resolutions such as "find a new job" in favor of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. Clearly articulate what you want to achieve. Get specific. Who do you need to involve? What steps do you need to take? What new skills or resources do you need to acquire? When will you achieve each goal? Define success for each goal to provide clarity.

Develop a Detailed Plan with Mini-Goals

Establish a comprehensive plan and schedule concrete "mini-goals" to support your overarching objective. For instance, if your aim is to secure a new job, break the process into smaller tasks like self-reflection, company research, networking, resume refinement, or skills acquisition. This approach reduces the enormity of your overall goal, making it more manageable and increasing your likelihood of success.

Find an Accountability Partner If you think you will need support holding yourself accountable, consider finding a friend or colleague who is also working on setting and achieving goals and work together to keep yourselves on track.

By contemplating the accomplishments and behavior changes you want to achieve over the next year and following a reasonable, detailed plan, you can look back at 2024 a year from now with a sense of accomplishment and say, "I did it!"