Staying Motivated with New Years’ Resolutions

Written by: Amolika Bhatia (‘29) and Faye Holliman (‘29)

According to a 2023 poll from Forbes Health (link provided below!), most people give up on their New Years’ resolutions before March. While nearly half of Americans make New Year's resolutions, only about 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, according to Columbia University. Even fewer than 10% of people accomplish their goals. With these statistics in mind, it may feel like sticking to your goals is impossible. However, there are small actions you can take to ensure that you maintain steady progress for each of your resolutions.

One simple step to feel more motivated to work on your resolutions is to set more goals. Yes, you read that right! Breaking up your resolutions into smaller goals can make the task easier to accomplish, rather than trying to tackle one large goal all at once. For example, instead of saying, “I want better grades,” try setting smaller goals like turning in all homework on time for one week or studying 20 minutes a night. An extra step you can take is to reward yourself for accomplishing some of these smaller feats. Allow yourself a sweet treat or an episode of your favorite TV show after you finished writing that DBQ, and you will feel amazing!

But what good are goals if you don’t act on them? To ensure you make progress, work toward your smaller goals daily. Actively engaging in your goals allows you to build discipline and incorporate your resolution into your schedule. Even small actions like reading five pages each night before bed, doing one workout after school, or reviewing your Biology notes for 10 minutes can add up over time. Consistency matters more than doing everything perfectly.

Another way to stay on track is to use accountability. You can do this by:

• Telling a friend about your goal

• Working on a shared goal with a buddy

• Tracking your progress in a planner or on your phone 

  
  

These methods can make you more likely to stick with it. When someone else knows your goal, you may feel more motivated to keep going. Beyond that, it keeps the energy flowing.

Now that you know what to do to achieve your resolutions, there is one question that will drive you to stay motivated: Why? Establishing a purpose and knowing why you want to achieve your goals gives you a reason to keep pushing for success. Whether your goal is to get into college, make a team, feel healthier, or reduce stress, having a personal reason makes it easier to stay committed when things get tough. Without meaning behind a resolution, you may not see a reason to continue pushing for it.

It is also important to remember that messing up does not mean you failed. Missing a day or having a bad week does not ruin your progress. What matters most is getting back on track and not giving up. Progress is not always perfect, but effort over time leads to real change.

Knowing why you have your resolutions and how to achieve them will help you stay motivated and push you to truly become a new you. Although your goals may seem impossible at first, taking small steps, building discipline, and staying consistent will surely help you check that resolution off of your 2026 bucket list.

If you are interested, check out the Forbes Health poll: 

​​https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/