Why Resolutions Fail – Reasons You Should Set Goals Instead
It’s time to get intentional with plans for the new year.
Do you set resolutions every year but find a few weeks later that you have stopped following them or, worse, just forgotten them? Have you failed to complete your resolutions for so many years that you just quit making resolutions? This year, let’s be intentional. Consider why resolutions fail and reasons you should set goals instead.
Changing behavior is difficult for all of us. One of the reasons why resolutions fail is because we treat resolutions like a wish list. Have you made these resolutions in the past? I want to exercise more (or I want to exercise every day), I want to eat healthy, I want to lose weight, I want to read more books? These are all great resolutions, but they fail because we treat our resolutions like wishes with no plan to succeed.
If you truly want to achieve your new year’s resolutions, don’t make a list another of resolutions. Set goals. Set clear goals for what you would like to accomplish this year and make a step-by-step plan to reach your goals.
3 Reasons You Should Set Goals for the New Year
Goals are specific and intentional
When you set resolutions, you notice they are generally general, like I want to lose weight (maybe I want to lose 25 lbs). If you are not careful, you can have a long list of resolutions, but these resolutions will only be a wish list because you have no action plan to accomplish your resolution.
When you set goals, you are usually specific and intentional. Goals planned correctly have an action plan. You don’t just say I want to lose 25 lbs. You say I want to lose 25 lbs. by April 30th. Then, you set up a plan of action to reach the goal.
Goals are also intentional and monitored. You set milestones to reach and monitor your progress as you move toward your goals.
Goals can be divided into smaller goals to help us reach the main goal
Larger goals can be subdivided into smaller and more manageable goals. You can set 1-year goals, 5-year goals, and 10-year goals. To reach these long-term goals, you will need smaller action plans.
Take a look at the goals you have set for this month, this year, or the next 5 years. How will you accomplish these goals? Divide your goals into smaller action steps. A yearly goal may require smaller monthly goals, and a monthly goal may require daily or weekly goals. I try to have monthly goals focused on reaching an annual goal, then break the monthly goals into daily/weekly goals to stay on target each month.
Your smaller goals will help you decide if you are progressing toward your goals or need to make adjustments to reach your goals. It’s okay to adjust or change your goals.
Goals Help Us Become Our Best
Setting and reaching well-defined goals will help you become your best. Without a defined goal, you aim at nothing in the dark, hoping everything works out.
Accomplishing our goals helps us see how we can become our best. Setting new goals helps us continually grow and improve our whole life. You will probably be surprised at the progress and success you have with you goals.
Goal Setting Tips
- Decide on 5 (or less) goals you want to focus on. If you have too many, your attention will be divided and you will not stay focused.
- Divide your goals into smaller goals or action steps to help you reach the goals.
- Use a planner (preferably a written planner) with action steps you should follow every day to reach your goals. Electronic planners are great for sending reminders and at-a-glance views, but a written planner allows you more space to write your thoughts and inspirations.
- Use a 30-day or 90-day review plan to evaluate your progress toward your goals and decide whether to make changes. Ask yourself what is working? What is not working? But don’t quit, make adjustments. This could mean changing the goal.
- Reward yourself (or take a short break) when you reach significant milestones in your plan. Giving yourself an incentive to reach your goal is a great way to keep you motivated.
If you would like more ideas for the types of goals you can set, be sure to read my post, 7 Goals to Set This Year and Resolutions to Results.
What a lovely post! I love how you say that goals have an action plan. I am a very goal orientated person. I love setting goals and then coming back letter to check up on my progress.
Are you a list maker?
Hi Emily – Yes, I make lists all the time. I was just reviewing my lists to see what I have completed and what can be consolidated. I find lists very helpful to keep me focused and on task.
If I don’t have an action plan for my goals, nothing usually happens or I just wander aimlessly. If I have an action plan to accomplish my goals, I’m much more likely to reach and exceed those goals.
I just wrote a post about setting goals. Resolutions scream “January” while goals scream “achievement!”
Lisa, absolutely – we only use the word resolutions in January. Goals we can set and adjust anytime.
Hi Rachel, This is a great post and I could agree more. Especially the part about being specific and breaking our goals into smaller parts. I think if we have a clear idea of what we want and do a little everyday, we’ll get there. Happy New Year!
Hi Monica, I find that small steps every day make it much more likely I will reach my goals at the end of the month or year.
I totally agree about the goals instead of resolutions, sensible, smart goals