Actually Keep that Resolution in 2026!

2025 has been quite the year - I hope it has treated you well! However your experience getting here was, you made it to December, which is always an opportunity to reflect and set intentions for 2026. And, maybe, scramble a bit to finish out 2025. We’re all human ;-)

It’s said every year: most New Year’s Resolutions are doomed to failure. Whether you embarked on a new diet, gym regimen, or budget, within a few months, you’re back to your old ways. That’s because a resolution, in the way they’re typically formulated, is much like an organizational vision statement. It’s a useful guiding principle, but it’s not going anywhere without a strategy and a plan.

Do you really want to “do the thing” this year? Here’s what I recommend:

1) Start with your “why”

Spend some time with yourself to unpack the reason behind the resolution you have in mind. Otherwise, you risk pointing yourself in the wrong direction in the first place.

As an example: how many folks do you hear say their resolution is to lose weight? It sounds like a worthwhile pursuit, but unless you’re a wrestler trying to get to the next weight class, the number on the scale is probably not what’s important. Do you want to lose weight because it’ll make you healthier? Other biomarkers may be much more relevant to your situation. Do you just want to feel good about your body for swimsuit season? It might be a better use of your energy to work toward a healthier relationship with how you look at and think about your body. Those are two very different projects, and taking the time to establish why you want to get where you’re trying to go will stop you from laying out the wrong roadmap for yourself.

2) Plant the flag

What does success look like? Is your goal a SMART goal?

If you work in a sufficiently large organization, somebody has likely asked you with these questions. Most of us know enough to give lip service to this infamous goal-setting framework, but many still don’t follow through with practicing it. Even if you are beholden only to yourself in this pursuit, being able to track progress toward a goal and knowing exactly when you’ve achieved it provides critical intrinsic motivation that will keep up your momentum.

So, be specific. Ensure it’s measurable. Base it in action. Relate it to your “why.” And set a deadline.

3) See the path

Now that you know where you’re heading, consider the main themes of activity that are going to get you there. Corporate folks like my former self might call these workstreams, pillars, swim lanes, etc.

3 is a mentally comfortable number for these strategic containers, but there’s no need to force it if you only need 2 or could really use 5. For instance, in the health example, your strategy might be a combination of data collection/monitoring, regular exercise, an updated diet, and medication. If it’s the swimsuit-readiness you’re after, that might still include the diet and exercise, but paired with a new practice of reciting affirmations and working with a therapist or coach.

This is a great time to think about what resources you’ll need to support your journey, like that doctor, coach, or therapist. Something as simple as having a trusted friend help keep you accountable to your goal can go a long way, and would be a resource worth naming to the project.

4) Break it down

New Year’s Resolutions are an annual phenomenon, so more likely than not, the timeline of your goal is “by the end of the year.” Unfortunately, knowing where you want to be in December isn’t very motivating to get you off the couch in February. In fact, it can be discouraging if the goal you set is particularly big, hairy, and/or audacious.

One of my favorite change management books is “Switch” by Chip and Dan Heath. A memorable quip that I believe the authors attributed to their father was (paraphrased) “People don’t want milestones; they want inch-pebbles.” Take that year-end goal and unpack it into what you need to do each month in each of your strategic areas, or go even more granular if it makes sense to. That way, you frequently have successes to celebrate as you move the needle toward your goal bit by bit. And don’t forget to pair those wins with little treats!

5) Keep it in your face

Even the best-laid plans can go by the wayside as life happens and we lose the enthusiasm that comes with embarking on a new pursuit. You need to find a way to keep your goal and its associated steps front of mind. Everyone’s daily flow is different, so identify the tools that will best help you do this.

Personally, I’m a big digital tool fan. The free version of Asana is useful for laying out everything in your plan with associated dates and generating automated email reminders so you don’t have to keep remembering to go back and look at the board. Not everyone stares at a computer all day, so find the thing that works in your rhythm: a planner on the back of your bedroom door; a note on your steering wheel; strategically-placed sticky notes around your home or workspace - whatever will keep you thinking about what you’re trying to accomplish in the midst of whatever else the world throws at you this year.

As you go, whether it’s at pre-defined check-in points or as a result of the unexpected, give yourself some flexibility and be open to revising your roadmap. You can’t predict everything, so treat the plan as a living document.

6) Enjoy the ride!

If you’re making a resolution, it’s probably because in some way, you want to be a happier person next December than you are this December. You won’t be a happier person if you feel mentally brow-beaten by a plan “last year you” made, especially if you get behind on some of the measurable outcomes you’re tracking. In addition to checking in from a progress perspective, check in with how pursuing the goal is making you feel. If it’s not energizing and it feels like stress, go back to your “why” and remember what motivated you to get started.

I hope this little journey was useful for you! If you want to bounce ideas off of somebody about how to make your resolution real, I’d be love to talk about what you’re trying to achieve. Reach out at the contact link below, and have a warm, safe, and happy holiday season!