Beat the New Year's Resolution Odds

Author’s Note: Trying a new format. Tell me what you think!

220 Words | ~2 Minute Read

1 Big Thing: Only 9% keep their Resolutions; pick the right resolutions, and you can beat those odds!

Context

• Only 9% of Americans report keeping their resolutions by the end of the Year
• Many quit within 2 weeks!
• Identity Resolutions are stickier than ‘Goal’ Resolutions.

Why it Matters

• Resolutions are about growth, and a 91% drop rate means we’re stagnating!
• The early fall off means we’re picking resolutions and systems poorly!

Now What
You can beat these odds with a few simple, though not easy, actions:

1. Pick Resolutions that align with who you are, or who you wish to be! Fundamental like ‘I will be a healthier person’, NOT Instrumental like ‘Lose 20 lbs so I can XYZ’.
2. Take Small Steps, and build systems! Not ‘Lose 20 lbs in 90 Days’, but ‘Walk 50 more steps every day this week’.
3. Get Accountability! Tell someone who will check up on you regularly!

Dive Deeper

• I first heard the Fundamental/Instrumental dichotomy in The Adventures of Johnny Bunko
• Check out James Clear’s Atomic Habits, and esp. his thoughts on Identity-based Habits
• I’m using Habitica with my wife to help with my accountability this year!