New Year’s resolutions: you plan them out, commit for a week or two, and then completely forget about them by February first. This happens to more people than you’d think: a study conducted by Columbia University reported that about 25% of people stay committed to their New Year’s resolutions after 30 days, and fewer than 10% of people actually finish them. So how do you make your resolutions stick? There are a few different tips and tricks you can implement in order to make your New Year’s resolutions last the whole year.
First, think about why you chose your specific resolution. Research shows that if it’s more meaningful to you, you’re more likely to stick with it. Let’s use eating healthier as an example. If you want to run a marathon in 2026, and you’re already working out regularly, eating healthier will push you towards your goal of running a marathon next year. Having a support system is also important to accomplish your goals, especially if they’re health-related– your individual health and wellbeing tends to mirror those around you (your parents/significant other.) By having people who know your goals and what you want to accomplish, they can push you and keep you accountable for making progress.
But once you know what your goal means to you and who can keep you accountable, it’s important to set SMART goals. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. Formatting your New Year’s resolution to be a SMART goal can help make it easier for you to stay committed to it.
So, you’ve got your support system, you know what your resolutions mean to you, and you’ve made it SMART, now it’s time to get to work. Make sure you have some way to track your progress– a note on your phone, a spreadsheet, whatever works for you. All of these things: a tracking method, solid goals, support system– they provide a firm foundation for you to get back on track if you start to slip from your plan.
With all of this in mind, it’s important to realize you may not be a New Year’s resolution person, at least in the traditional sense. That’s where fun resolutions come in. Fun resolutions can be anything– making a playlist every month, vowing to pet more dogs in 2025, or whatever silly thing helps you get through the stressful parts of your year. No matter how you see New Year’s resolutions, goal-setting is an important skill for every aspect of your life.