How to Make a New Year’s Resolution That Works

Summary

To successfully achieve New Year's resolutions, one must focus on personal passions, create a clear plan, and measure progress rather than merely stating goals.

Abstract

The article emphasizes that the common failure in New Year's resolutions stems from a misguided focus on changing aspects of our lives without considering our true passions and commitments. It suggests that real change requires a shift from making resolutions to creating detailed plans that define success on personal terms. The importance of a well-thought-out plan, coupled with the determination to follow through, is highlighted as the key to transforming resolutions into achievements.

Opinions

Resolutions often fail because they are not backed by genuine passion or a clear vision of success.
Success in achieving personal goals is contingent upon having a precise plan and a method for measuring progress.
A commitment to hard work and perseverance, or 'grit,' is essential for sticking to one's plan and realizing goals.
The article implies that the common practice of making resolutions without a concrete plan is ineffective and sets individuals up for failure.
The emphasis is on the individual to decide what matters to them and to define what success looks like in their own context.

We fail because we focus on the wrong things

Do you know why most of us fail in our New Year’s Resolutions? We focus on the things we should change and ignore the areas we are genuinely passionate about improving.

All of us have areas in our lives we want to improve. Until we decide where we want to commit our energy, nothing will change.

Resolutions fail. Plans work.

Decide what matters to you. Determine what success looks like to you. If you do now know, then achieving the goal is all but impossible.

Create a plan. Measure success.

Making a New Year’s resolution will not trigger change. Create a plan and have the grit to stick to it.

How to Make a New Year’s Resolution That Works

We fail because we focus on the wrong things

Avoid This Mistake or Your New Year’s Resolution Will Fail

Create an action plan, not meaningless words