Sometimes New Year’s Resolutions Fail (And How to Finally Create Goals That Stick)
Jan 15, 2025
The second Friday of January has come and gone. Why does that matter? It’s the official “Quit Day” for New Year’s resolutions—the day when most people give up on their goals and return to old habits.
I’ve been there. I’ve started the year with bold declarations like, “This is gonna be my year!” only to watch my audacious goals fizzle out before February. On the flip side, I’ve also set small, vague resolutions like “lose weight” or “be a better parent,” which left me with random, inconsistent progress.
The truth is, neither approach worked. The detailed, overly ambitious plans overwhelmed me, while the vague goals left me aimless. Both left me frustrated and stuck in a cycle of starting and stopping without real progress.
The Trap of Perfectionism and Rigidity
Here’s why most resolutions fail: we set goals in extremes.
Sometimes, we go all in, creating elaborate plans and micro-steps. But life rarely cooperates with perfect schedules. When unexpected challenges—like health issues, caregiving demands, or life chaos—arise, those plans fall apart, and it’s hard to recover.
Other times, we go too broad with resolutions like “get organized” or “eat better.” These goals lack structure, so progress becomes random and fleeting.
I’ve lived both extremes. In 2023, I meticulously planned every detail in a beautiful planner with goal sheets and targets. By March, that planner was buried under kitchen counter chaos. The blank, untouched pages haunted me with feelings of shame.
By 2024, I realized that rigidity wasn’t the answer. But I hadn’t fully solved the problem either—I still lacked a system to keep me anchored to my goals when life got messy.
Finding the Balance: Big Vision, Small Steps
On the eve of 2025, something clicked. I realized I needed to pull into the middle—a balance between the bold vision and the flexibility of daily action.
Here’s the system I created:
- Start with Vision: I spent time between Christmas and New Year’s revisiting my “why” and building out my vision. I even created a vision board and set it as my computer lock screen.
- Ditch Pre-Dated Planners: Instead of rigid, pre-dated pages that stressed me out, I started using blank daily sheets. This removed the pressure and guilt of unfinished pages.
- Use a Simple Daily Structure: My daily sheet includes:
- Today’s date
- A manifestation statement
- My five main goals
- My plan for the day
- Targets to focus on
This system is flexible yet intentional. It keeps me moving forward without the weight of perfectionism or shame about missed days. Every morning, I grab a blank sheet and start fresh, focusing on the things that matter most.
What About You?
Take five minutes today to reset and start small:
- Create a Why Statement or Manifestation Statement: Write down a single, powerful sentence that captures your vision or purpose. Something like, “I am creating a life of balance, purpose, and joy.”
- Start Simple with Three Things: Instead of overwhelming yourself with a long list, choose just three simple things you want to focus on today. Or, if you prefer, reflect at the end of the day and create a “to-done” list of three things you accomplished—big or small.
Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up with intention, one small step at a time. Even writing down what you’ve done can be a powerful reminder of how far you’re already moving forward.
Build the Life You Deserve—Start Today!
If this resonates with you and you’re ready to take control of your goals and routines, I’d love to help you take the next step. My course, Authentic Identity, is designed to help parents of children with special needs reclaim their purpose, build flexible systems, and create a life that feels balanced and beautiful.
Join the waitlist today to be the first to know when enrollment opens. Together, we’ll transform the way you approach your goals and your life.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
