Why Setting New Year's Goals Beats Making Resolutions… Every.Single.Time
As the year comes to a close, many of us reflect on what we we’ve accomplished and look forward to what we want to achieve in the upcoming year. Traditionally, this is the time to make New Year’s resolutions; often a list of promises centered around self-improvement. Yet, for all the enthusiasm resolutions inspire, they often fail. According to research, a staggering 80% of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned by February due to the feeling of failure.
So, as we look forward to a new year, why not try something different? Instead of resolutions, set yourself some New Year’s goals. This blog post is going to talk about why goals are far more effective and fulfilling than resolutions, and how they can lead to meaningful, lasting change.
1. Goals Are Specific and Actionable
Resolutions are often vague, such as "get in shape" or "save money." Goals, on the other hand, are specific and measurable. Usually, goals follow the SMART acronym (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound) they clearly define what you want to achieve and how you’ll get there. For example:
Resolution: "Exercise more."
Goal: "Go to the gym three times a week and run a 5K by June."
Specificity makes goals actionable, breaking them into manageable steps you can realistically achieve.
2. Goals Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Resolutions tend to be binary: you either succeed or fail. If your resolution is to "stop eating junk food," indulging in one bag of chips can feel like a total failure, leading you to give up altogether.
Goals embrace the idea of progress over perfection. They allow room for setbacks while keeping you focused on moving forward. If your goal is to "reduce junk food intake by eating at least 5 home-cooked meals a week," one slip-up doesn’t derail your progress. This method also allows you to follow the 80/20 rule, so you don’t have to have ‘cheat days’ or self sabotage yourself on the weekends. This will allow you to focus on creating healthy and sustainable habits.
3. Goals Encourage Long-Term Thinking
Resolutions often focus on immediate behavior changes that can feel daunting and unsustainable. Goals are more aligned with long-term aspirations and personal growth. They encourage you to think about where you want to be in six months, a year, or even five years, creating a sense of direction and purpose.
For instance, a resolution might be "read more books," while a goal could be "finish 12 books by the end of the year." The latter has a clear timeline and fosters a habit that could enrich your life beyond the current year. You could even take this farther by breaking it down into “read 12 books by the end of the year. 6 of those being fiction, 4 non-fiction and 2 self-help books”
4. Goals Are Rooted in Strategy
Successful goals are backed by a plan. They require you to break them into smaller, actionable milestones and track your progress along the way. This strategic approach builds momentum and gives you a sense of accomplishment with each milestone achieved.
For example, if your goal is to save $5,000 by year-end, you might:
Set monthly savings targets.
Identify areas to cut back on spending.
Open a high-yield savings account to optimize your efforts.
This structured strategy makes achieving your goal more realistic.
5. Goals Are Motivating
The intrinsic motivation behind goals makes them more powerful than resolutions. Goals are tied to your passions, values, and aspirations, providing a stronger emotional connection. Achieving a goal brings a sense of pride and fulfillment, whereas failing a resolution can feel like a personal shortcoming.
For example, the goal "run a marathon to raise funds for a cause I care about" ties your effort to a deeper purpose, making it easier to stay motivated.
How to Shift from Resolutions to Goals
To harness the benefits of goal setting, follow these steps:
Reflect: Consider what you truly want to achieve and why it matters to you.
Be Specific: Define clear, measurable goals with deadlines. (Think SMART)
Break It Down: Divide goals into smaller, manageable milestones.
Track Progress: Regularly review and adjust your plan as needed.
Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge each milestone to maintain momentum.
The Power of Goals: A Mindset Shift
The key difference between resolutions and goals lies in mindset. Resolutions often focus on what you should stop doing, creating a negative framework. Goals, in contrast, focus on what you want to achieve, fostering a positive and proactive outlook.
By setting goals instead of resolutions, you give yourself permission to grow, learn, and adapt throughout the year. Your goals become a blueprint for success, one that evolves with you as you tackle challenges and celebrate milestones.
As you prepare for the new year, trade fleeting resolutions for meaningful goals. With a clear plan, long-term vision, and the flexibility to embrace progress over perfection, you’ll set yourself up for a year of purpose and achievement.
This New Year let’s ditch the "resolutions" bandwagon and step into the empowering world of goal setting. Your future self will thank you!