Stop Making New Year’s Resolutions, Set Goals Instead

The chime of midnight on New Year’s Eve often signals a collective pause for reflection and the birth of aspirations. Traditionally, this moment is accompanied by the well-intentioned practice of making New Year’s resolutions—a ritual where individuals pledge to transform their lives in the coming year.

However, as the confetti settles and the calendar turns, so does the resolve behind these resolutions. Many find themselves trapped in a cycle of unmet goals and abandoned commitments.

In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why the tradition of New Year’s resolutions might not be the best. Instead of talking about resolutions, we propose a focus on the power and effectiveness of setting New Year’s goals—a practice grounded in specificity, sustainability, and personal growth.

The Problem with New Year’s Resolutions

One of the fundamental issues with resolutions lies in their inherent vagueness. Promises to “exercise more” or “eat healthier” lack the clarity needed for actionable steps, making it easy for motivation to dwindle in the face of ambiguous objectives. Moreover, the stark reality of resolution failure rates cannot be ignored. Studies show that a significant percentage of individuals abandon their resolutions within the first few weeks of January, leading to a recurring pattern of disappointment.

Beyond the surface-level statistics, the psychological impact of repeated resolution setbacks is profound. Each unfulfilled resolution can erode one’s confidence and belief in their ability to effect positive change. This negative cycle, coupled with the societal emphasis on quick fixes, contributes to a culture where resolutions are often perceived as temporary commitments rather than enduring lifestyle changes. It’s clear that the traditional approach to New Year’s resolutions may need reconsideration, and that’s where the concept of setting goals comes into play.

The Benefits of Setting Goals

Goals, unlike resolutions, are inherently more specific and measurable, providing a roadmap for tangible progress. This shift from abstract declarations to well-defined objectives brings many benefits that extend far beyond the calendar turnover.

1. Clarity and Precision:

When setting goals you need to be specific and define clear and actionable targets. In the process of setting specific goals, you need to actually think about whether it is realistic and how you are going to get there. Then, the act of just setting goals is helping you establish a tangible path forward.

2. Increased Motivation:

The specificity of a goal allows you to envision the endpoint, creating a sense of purpose that fuels commitment even when faced with challenges.

3. Sense of Accomplishment:

Goals provide a framework for measuring progress and achievement. Breaking down a larger objective into smaller, manageable tasks allows for a continuous sense of accomplishment, reinforcing the commitment to the overarching goal.

4. Long-term Sustainability:

Resolutions are frequently abandoned when initial enthusiasm wanes. In contrast, the process of setting and pursuing goals promotes a long-term, sustainable approach to personal development. This shift in mindset will encourage you to view progress as a continuous journey rather than a one-time effort.

5. Adaptability and Flexibility:

Goals are adaptable, allowing for adjustments based on evolving circumstances. This flexibility stands in stark contrast to the rigid nature of resolutions, accommodating the dynamic nature of life and providing a realistic framework for sustained success.

SMART Goal Setting

Now that you’ve recognized the advantages of setting goals over resolutions, let’s delve into a powerful strategy that can amplify your chances of success: SMART goal setting. The SMART criteria act as a compass, guiding your aspirations with precision and intentionality. By infusing your goals with these specific characteristics, you pave the way for a structured and attainable journey toward personal achievement.

1. Specific (S):

Define your goal with utmost clarity. Instead of a broad objective like “exercise more,” pinpoint specifics such as “run three miles three times a week” or “complete a 30-minute yoga session every morning.” The more precise your goal, the clearer your path becomes.

2. Measurable (M):

Establish tangible criteria to measure your progress. This could involve quantifiable metrics like time, distance, or frequency. Measurable goals enable you to track your advancement and celebrate milestones along the way, reinforcing your commitment.

3. Achievable (A):

Ensure that your goal is challenging yet realistic. Assess your resources, capabilities, and time constraints. An achievable goal pushes you to grow without setting the bar impossibly high, preventing discouragement and maintaining motivation.

4. Relevant (R):

Align your goal with your broader objectives and values. A relevant goal resonates with your personal aspirations and contributes meaningfully to your overall well-being. This ensures that your efforts are directed toward what truly matters to you.

5. Time-bound (T):

Establish a timeframe for achieving your goal. Whether it’s a weekly, monthly, or yearly deadline, setting a specific time-bound target creates a sense of urgency. This temporal element not only fuels motivation but also helps you stay accountable to your aspirations.

As you integrate the SMART criteria into your goal-setting process, remember that these principles work synergistically to enhance the effectiveness of your objectives. Your goals transform from abstract desires into actionable plans, providing you with a roadmap that navigates the complexities of your journey. By making your goals SMART, you empower yourself to turn aspirations into attainable realities.

Guide to Set New Year’s Goals

Embarking on a journey of setting New Year’s goals requires a thoughtful and systematic approach. These are the 5 steps I have been following in recent years and that have worked for me when it comes to setting goals.

1. Review Goals for the Current Year (if you have any)

Begin by reflecting on the goals you set for the current year. What milestones did you achieve? What challenges did you encounter? Understanding your past experiences provides valuable insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. Celebrate your successes and learn from any setbacks to inform your approach for the upcoming year.

2. Define Your Focus Areas:

Think of your life like a business. In a company, when goals for the next year are defined, it is up to each department to define their specific goals. Then, we would have Sales goals and Finance goals for example. Similarly, Identify the key areas of your life that hold significance for personal development. These could include career, health, relationships, finances, and more. Take the time to consider what aspects of these areas are most important to you and align with your overall vision for the year ahead.

If you don’t know where to start, creating a vision board can help you understand what you want to achieve in the following year, so that you can define your focus areas.

3. Set SMART Goals Under Each Focus Area:

With your focus areas in mind, delve into the process of setting SMART goals. Dedicate focused time to each area, allowing yourself the opportunity to contemplate and refine your objectives. Ensure that each goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Whether it’s advancing in your career, improving your health, nurturing relationships, or enhancing financial stability, specificity is key to effective goal-setting.

Let me share a few examples.

One of my Financial Goals for 2024, is to “Save up $25 to buy an investment property”. See how I have an exact number in mind and I also know exactly what I am going to do with that money.
Switching gears, one of my Fitness Goals is to “Run the Seattle Half Marathon in June”. Again, I know when and what marathon I want to run. This is different to just having “I want to run more” or even “I will run a half marathon” as a resolution.

We will come back to these examples in step 5.

4. Review Your Goals:

Once you’ve established your goals in each focus area, take a step back to review the overall picture. Assess whether your goals are balanced, challenging yet attainable, and aligned with your overarching vision for the year. Consider the quantity of goals—do you have enough to keep you engaged and motivated without overwhelming yourself?

5. Define Monthly or Quarterly Milestones:

Break down each goal into manageable, bite-sized milestones. Define what success looks like on a monthly or quarterly basis. This not only helps you track progress more effectively but also allows for regular course corrections. Adjustments can be made based on your evolving circumstances, ensuring that you stay on track toward your larger objectives.

Now, let’s go back to the 2 examples in step 3:

For my “Save up $25 to buy an investment property” goal, I currently have $8k already saved for this purpose, so I need to add $17k in 2024. The milestones I have defined for this goal is to save $2k monthly during January through May and $1k during the following months. This approach makes sense to me because I tend to spend less during the winter months, so saving $2k is actually realistic while, when summer approaches, social activities and travel increase my expenses. Not just this, but I am also setting automatic transfers to my savings account to make sure I am committed to the goal.
For my “Run the Seattle Half Marathon in June” goal I have decided I need 3 months of training. It is too cold to run during the winter anyway, so my plan is to start training in spring (Mid- March). Then, I’m going to dedicate Sundays to training for this half marathon.

6. Write them Down and Adjust

Finally, make sure to write your goals down. You can use a planner, a journal or a work document, whatever works for you. Personally, I use this spreadsheet because I just need to use spreadsheets for everything. Another practice I recommend is having quarterly checks. Again, going back to the business comparison, companies have quarterly reviews to check on the progress they are making on different goals and make adjustments if needed. You need to do this in your life too!

Final Thoughts

Remember that the process of goal-setting is not rigid; it’s a fluid and dynamic evolution that adapts to your changing circumstances and personal growth. Celebrate the victories, both big and small, and learn from the challenges that inevitably arise. The journey toward your goals is as significant as the destination, filled with opportunities for self-discovery and resilience.

As you move forward into the new year, infused with the energy of purpose and commitment, keep in mind that the power to shape your destiny lies within your hands. The goals you’ve set are not merely checkboxes but stepping stones towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Embrace the journey, stay resilient, and savor the moments of progress.

May this year be one of transformation, accomplishment, and continuous self-discovery. Here’s to a year of setting and achieving meaningful goals that propel you toward the best version of yourself. Happy New Year!