Every December, as the calendar edges toward a clean slate, the same question comes around: What will my resolutions be this year? For a long time, I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at the ritual. It felt predictable, even cliché, to scribble down promises of “eating healthier” or “working out more” only to abandon them by February. But over time, my perspective has shifted.
The start of a new year isn’t just a date change—it’s an invitation. It’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reset our mindset. And while it’s true that you don’t need January 1st to make a positive change, there’s something undeniably powerful about the collective fresh-start energy that comes with a new year.
If you’ve struggled to stick to resolutions in the past, I want to challenge you to approach this year differently. Instead of chasing lofty, all-or-nothing goals, think of resolutions as intentional commitments to yourself—guidelines that help shape the kind of life you want to build. With the right mindset and a few practical strategies, you really can set goals that last longer than a few weeks.
Here are some golden rules for making resolutions that will carry you through the year and beyond.
1. Keep It Realistic
One of the biggest mistakes we make is setting goals that sound impressive but don’t align with our current lifestyle. Swearing off sugar completely or committing to a two-hour daily workout might look great on paper, but in reality, they set you up for burnout.
Instead, start small. Replace your afternoon soda with sparkling water a few times a week. Add a 20-minute walk into your daily routine. When you give yourself attainable goals, you build confidence with each win—and that momentum keeps you moving forward.
2. Focus on Habits, Not Just Outcomes
It’s easy to set resolutions that focus solely on the result—lose 20 pounds, save $5,000, learn a new language. But what really creates lasting change are the habits you build along the way.
Instead of obsessing over the finish line, think about the daily practices that will get you there. For example, rather than “save $5,000,” try “set up an automatic transfer of $100 into savings every week.” Instead of “learn Spanish,” commit to 10 minutes of practice on an app each morning. The beauty of habits is that they compound over time, often leading to bigger results than you imagined.
3. Write It Down and Track Your Progress
There’s something powerful about putting pen to paper—or even typing it into a notes app. Writing down your resolutions not only makes them feel more concrete but also helps you revisit them regularly.
Tracking your progress can be surprisingly motivating. A checklist, journal, or habit-tracking app can serve as a visual reminder of how far you’ve come. Progress, no matter how small, deserves to be celebrated.
4. Give Yourself Grace
Here’s the truth: you will stumble. You’ll skip a workout, overspend one week, or fall back into old habits. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it just means you’re human.
The key is to avoid the all-or-nothing trap. Missing one day doesn’t erase your effort; it’s just a small detour. Instead of throwing in the towel, reset and keep going. Progress is rarely linear, and giving yourself grace ensures you don’t abandon your resolutions altogether at the first setback.
5. Revisit and Revise as Needed
Resolutions aren’t meant to be rigid rules carved in stone. They should evolve with you. Maybe you set out to run a marathon, but halfway through the year, you realize you’d rather focus on yoga and strength training. That’s not failure—it’s growth.
Check in with your goals every month or two. Ask yourself if they still align with your priorities and adjust as needed. Think of resolutions as a living roadmap, not a binding contract.
6. Celebrate the Wins—Big and Small
Too often, we wait until we’ve “arrived” at the big milestone before celebrating. But the truth is, the small victories matter just as much. Did you cook dinner at home three nights this week? That’s a win. Did you finish your first book of the year? Another win.
Celebrating along the way keeps motivation high and reminds you that change is happening—even if it feels slow.
Resolutions as Intentions
At the heart of it, resolutions aren’t about perfection—they’re about intention. They’re about showing up for yourself, honoring your goals, and making consistent efforts toward the life you want.
As we leave behind the old year and step into the new one, remember: your resolutions don’t have to be dramatic or Instagram-worthy. They just have to matter to you. And when you approach them with realism, commitment, and compassion, they transform from fleeting promises into lasting change.
So, grab your notebook, reflect on what matters most to you, and set intentions that will guide you not just through this year—but into the future you want to create.
Here’s to a new year, a fresh mindset, and the kind of goals that stick.
