If you’re someone who made a New Year’s resolution for this year, consider yourself very special. It’s surprising how few people really make New Year’s resolutions, and it’s also a bit surprising how few people keep them. Even if you don’t keep your New Year’s resolution, at least you tried, right? Here are some tips to keep your resolution this year and reach the stars.
Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution
The experts at Drive Research note that just three in 10 Americans made a resolution in 2024. Of those, 62% of the people making resolutions did it mainly because they felt pressure to make one.
Per Drive Research, 79% of the New Year’s resolutions out there are about improving health. Also, “Adults ages 18 to 29 make up the biggest group that made at least one resolution at 49%,” Drive Research stated. “Of those ages 30 to 49, 31% made a resolution, and just 21% of those 50 and above committed to a resolution.” So, it seems like as the years go on, people get less and less enthusiastic about keeping a resolution or even making one.
So, how do you keep your New Year’s resolution in tact? The experts at Very Well Mind say that you should choose a specific goal. “Instead of selecting such an ambiguous goal, focus on something more concrete that you can realistically set your sights on,” they state. “In other words, choose a very specific, achievable goal.”
The folks at Very Well Mind also say to begin with small steps, which totally makes sense. “Taking on too much too quickly is a common reason why so many New Year’s resolutions fail,” they noted. “Starting an unsustainably restrictive diet, overdoing it at the gym, or radically altering your normal behavior are surefire ways to derail your plans. Instead, focus on taking tiny steps that will ultimately help you reach your larger goal.”
Don’t Be Too Perfect
Harvard Health says to give thanks for what you’re able to accomplish and to not be a perfectionist. “Set your sights on finishing that marathon, not on running it,” they noted. “If you compete to complete, you’ll be a winner even if you wind up walking as much as you run.”
On top of that, Harvard Health says to give yourself kudos along the way. “Don’t wait to call yourself a winner until you’ve pounded through the last mile of your big dream marathon or lost every unwanted ounce,” they explain. “Health changes are often incremental. Encourage yourself to keep at it by pausing to acknowledge success as you tick off small and big steps en route to a goal.”
Real Simple also says to turn your resolution into a routine. “The key to keeping New Year’s resolutions is incorporating them into a routine, according to Dion Metzger, M.D., a psychiatrist practicing in Atlanta,” they note. Metzger told Real Simple, “It’s not about what the resolution is, but what you plan to do about it.”
Another good way to stay accountable is to tell other people about your goal. So, tell family and friends about your resolution, and let them help you achieve it.