Apparently, only 30% of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions.* Does that mean 70% of us have nothing we would like to improve about how we are showing up in this life?
More likely, it’s a sign that we tend to set overly ambitious yearly goals—and when we fall short, we feel like failures. No wonder we avoid the process altogether.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need a big, daunting resolution to make meaningful change. There are four characteristics of goals that make us more likely to achieve them:
They’re small enough to feel doable.
You schedule them into your calendar.
They become part of your daily routine.
They give you a sense of immediate gratification.
That last one might sound surprising. “Is she saying I should only set goals that provide instant results?”
Not at all. What I mean is this: when the process itself is enjoyable—like the calm of journaling, meditation, or prayer—or gives you a physical or emotional boost, like the endorphins from exercise, the satisfaction of focusing on a project you care about, or even the pride of choosing a healthy snack, you’re far more likely to stick with it.
For example, instead of setting a goal like “losing 10 pounds,” you might decide to walk every morning at 7 a.m. and make one healthier shift to your diet. These small, achievable actions give you daily opportunities to feel good about yourself.
And small changes really do add up. Cutting just one teaspoon of sugar from your daily diet can result in losing almost two pounds in a year. But here’s the best part: more important than the end goal is the confidence you build with each daily win.
So, don’t overthink it. Ask yourself:
What’s one daily habit that’s not serving me?
What’s one small, positive shift I can make today?
Take a moment now to schedule that shift into your calendar. Tomorrow, you’ll be glad you did.