How to Curate your New Year’s Resolutions for Success

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Eat healthier. Exercise more. Save money. With the new year rapidly approaching, these broad proclamations are likely repeated buzzwords you will hear from other resolution-makers — and possibly resolutions you might have for yourself too. Although these resolutions are common, success is rare. According to The Ohio State University, 43 percent of Americans gave up on their resolutions by the end of January, with as many as 23 percent quitting within that first week. Instead of falling into that statistic this year, here are some tips and tricks to set you and your resolutions up for success.

Start fresh.
Making a resolution that fell through in the past will only repeat the same path and disappointing results. This year, think introspectively and consider creating a unique resolution you have never tried.

If you still have goals similar to those in previous years, you can reframe them with a different perspective. This can shift your mindset to redirect the trajectory of your results.

Be specific with your resolutions.
Vagueness is the biggest enemy of a successful New Year’s resolution. Without a standard to measure your progress, you leave more leeway to veer off track. It is crucial to hone in on the specifics. 

A resolution like “be more organized” is unfocused, but revising this to “wash my sheets and declutter my closet once a week” is now trackable and easier to maintain.

Take small steps.
Diving headfirst into the new year and anticipating your lifestyle to do a complete one-eighty overnight can feel overwhelming. This steers many people into quitting their resolutions: a feeling of discouragement from this unrealistic expectation. 

If you want to implement your resolutions to stick long-term, gradual changes need to be made so that you can adapt to them. Setting a series of “subgoals,” either with a step-by-step format or on a weekly or monthly timeline, rather than an overarching goal, creates a distinct — and realistic — pathway to increase your chances of resolution success.

Find an accountability partner.
Sometimes, it can be hard to muster up motivation and discipline alone. In moments of struggle, lean on those around you. Find a friend with similar goals to keep you in check with your resolutions. Whether it’s a workout partner or a study buddy, you can get quality time with both your friends and working towards your resolution. It’s a win-win!

Celebrate the little victories.
It is also important to remember that taking a break or straying off the path is perfectly okay. Acknowledge your wins along the way, and recognize progress doesn’t have to be linear for you to be successful.