How to Stick to Your New Year's Resolutions: Achieving Goals with Small Steps

How Do You Set Your New Year’s Resolutions?

As a new year begins, many of us take the time to set resolutions. However, it’s not uncommon to struggle with keeping them—too many goals or losing motivation halfway through are frequent challenges. I’ve faced these hurdles myself but have found ways to make resolutions more manageable and achievable.

In this article, I’ll share tips to help you set resolutions that are both enjoyable and realistic to follow through on.

1. Keep Resolutions Simple: Fewer Goals, Better Results

It’s tempting to write down a long list of goals at the start of the year. However, too many resolutions can be overwhelming, making it harder to follow through.

Examples:

• Instead of saying, “This year I’ll get healthier, learn English, get a promotion, and take up new hobbies,” try narrowing it down to just one or two key goals.
• Focus on 1–3 meaningful resolutions to give yourself the space to truly commit to them.

In the past, I used to draft extensive “to-do lists” for the year. By December, I’d look back and feel disheartened by what I hadn’t achieved. Now, I limit myself to three core resolutions and rank them by priority, which makes it easier to concentrate on what matters most.

2. Move from Abstract Goals to Specific Actions

Goals like “lose weight,” “get healthier,” or “read more” are great, but their vagueness can make it hard to act on them. Transform these into specific, actionable steps to integrate them into your routine.

Examples of Specific Goals:

• Abstract: “Lose weight”
  Specific: “Lose 5 kg by August by walking three times a week.”

• Abstract: “Read more”
  Specific: “Read three books per month by setting aside 30 minutes for reading every night.”

Breaking down goals into clear actions helps you incorporate them into daily life with ease.

3. Set Goals That Are Fun to Pursue

When your resolutions feel like obligations (“I should…”), they can become draining. Instead, base your goals on things you want to do, creating a sense of excitement and motivation.

Examples of Fun Goals:

• “I should study English” → “I want to watch my favorite movies without subtitles.”
• “I should exercise more” → “I want to take relaxing weekend walks in my favorite park.”

For instance, I reframed my exercise goal from “I need to work out” to “I’ll go for walks to feel refreshed before enjoying a sauna.” This made the process more enjoyable and sustainable for me.

4. Plan Daily Actions with Flexibility

Once you’ve set your New Year’s resolutions, it’s important to break them into monthly and daily actions. However, being overly rigid can take the joy out of achieving your goals.

Examples of Flexible Planning:

• Monthly: Align with health goals by saying, “This month, I’ll exercise three times a week.”
• Daily: Adjust based on your energy level—“Today, I’ll do some light stretches” or “Tomorrow, I’ll go for a brisk walk.”

Prioritizing enjoyment and adapting to your energy helps create a natural rhythm for sustaining your goals.

5. My Experiment: Digital Detox

This year, I’ve taken a big step by removing all social media apps from my devices and logging out of browser accounts.

Spending too much time on social media often led to unproductive comparisons and wasted hours. By embracing a digital detox, I’ve gained extra time and space to explore new hobbies. For example, I now enjoy journaling with my Traveler’s Notebook and have incorporated meditation into my daily routine.

6. It’s Okay to Stumble

It’s rare to achieve every resolution perfectly. Even if you don’t hit 100% of your goals, there’s no need to feel bad about it.

The journey toward your goals—the lessons and growth along the way—is valuable in itself. If you falter, take a small step to start again.

Conclusion: Resolutions That Work for You

When setting your New Year’s resolutions, focus on making them simple, specific, and fun. Above all, ensure they align with your energy and pace, so you can enjoy the process.

Here’s to making 2025 a fulfilling year, one step at a time!

---