The start of a new year is like opening a blank book—full of possibility and adventure. No matter how the past year went, January 1 allows you to recreate yourself and hold yourself to higher standards. Whether you’re planning self-care routines or just promising yourself to drink more water, the New Year is your chance to set new goals.
Not to kill the vibe, but according to a study by a New York-based national market research company named Drive Research, 23% of adults abandon their New Year’s resolutions by “Quitter’s Day.” That is the name given to the day which falls on the second Friday of January, which was January 10. This date provides a benchmark for resolutions that tend to last. So, if you’re still going strong, that’s a good sign.
The 2024 Forbes Health Survey reveals that 66.5% of respondents set multiple goals (three or more). Of these, 48% aim to improve their fitness, 38% focus on enhancing their finances, 9% plan to learn a new skill, and 5% intend to meditate regularly.
Interestingly, a recent survey by Statista shows that four in ten U.S. respondents do not plan to make any resolutions this year. So, if you haven’t made any yet, don’t worry—you’re definitely not alone.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not older people but young adults who are more likely to establish New Year’s resolutions. According to the Pew Research Center, 49% of adults aged 18 to 29 reported making at least one resolution this year, the highest percentage of any age group. I guess being young is the time for new beginnings but hopefully they’re making resolutions that are attainable.
Sticking to New Year’s resolutions can be challenging, but here are my top five tips to help you stay committed and unlock the best version of yourself:
Keep it realistic and specific: Setting an attainable goal for yourself increases your chances of success. Vague resolutions like “be more healthy” are harder to act on. Instead, saying, “I’ll go to the gym three times a week” gives you a clear target to aim for.
Celebrate your successes: No matter how small, recognizing your achievements inspires you to keep striving for bigger goals. Rather than just focusing on the final result, taking time to acknowledge progress gives you the strength to continue.
Adopt a growth mindset: Instead of giving up when progress is slow, you’ll stay committed, knowing that growth takes time and effort.
Have support along the way: Finding support, whether a workout friend or family member, can encourage the process. Discussing your challenges and successes with others holds one accountable for the dedication they made.
Try new goals each year: A new goal pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you discover new strengths. Each year offers a chance to create a new plan to improve, letting you refine yourself.
Hillary Depiano once said, “We all get the exact same 365 days. The only difference is what we do with them.” In my opinion, balance is key. Rest days are just as important as workout days, and allowing yourself to have cheat days on your diet can keep you stay focused. Your body is your instrument, it performs best when cared for, not overstrained.
If you find yourself already abandoning your New Year goals, don’t stress, there is always room for improvement next year. In the meantime, remember that every day is a new chance to start fresh. Don’t forget to live in the moment and prioritize small steps before big steps.