Is It Really Worth It to Make Resolutions?

How do you make this annual goal-setting practice something that actually yields results?

The new year provides an opportunity for a fresh start and to get motivated to make positive changes in your life. This is the belief that spurs millions of people to make New Year’s resolutions each year. How many people stick to their resolutions? Well, it’s hard to say, but the numbers don’t look great. It’s estimated that a large majority of people give up on their well-intentioned goals shortly after they change the calendar.

So, what’s the point of making resolutions if the odds show that your chances of sticking to them are actually pretty low? There are some very good reasons to still make your resolutions since most resolutions are designed to improve one’s life, and that’s a good thing.

The key to really making your resolutions worth it is to approach the goal committed to doing it right. When you approach the goal from a more committed place, you are more likely to be among the minority of people who are successful in meeting their goals.

Here are some tips to help you make the most out of resolution-setting:

• Be realistic – While it’s great to be wide-eyed and excited about all the changes you want to make in your life, you’re more likely to stick to your plans if you set realistic goals. Don’t assume you’ll change your whole life just because the calendar resets itself on January 1. Make resolutions that are reasonable for where you are in your life right now.

• Set small and measurable goals – One of the best ways to stay motivated is to feel you’re able to reach a goal. Rather than setting lofty goals where you can’t see the end in sight, making your goals smaller and measurable. This way, you will be able to see progress and that will help to spur you on.

• Make a plan – You’ve likely heard the expression “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” And when it comes to enacting change in your life, this expression sums it up. You can’t resolve to lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, save more money or fill-in-the-blank unless you have figured out the steps you need to take to make it happen.

• Stay positive – Resolutions don’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. That is, if you want them to last. Even if you have a slip up or aren’t making as much progress as you had hoped, look at the positive aspects of what you’re doing and remind yourself that any positive change is a good change. That’s way more helpful than throwing in the towel, don’t you think?
• Be kind to yourself – We all slip up from time to time, so when that happens avoid beating up on yourself. Instead recognize that it is a new opportunity to start again, and to learn about the triggers that tripped you up in the first place. Be kind, rewind, and start fresh.

Make 2025 the year of a “healthy you” and commit to making small, measurable, and satisfying changes that will add up to a positive year ahead.

Happy New Year!