Making Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick (No, I Mean it This Time)

By Scott Grzesiak, Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth, Integrated Project Management Company, Inc.

The start of a new year is a great time to step back and reflect.

• Am I focusing on the right things?
• Am I using my time wisely?
• Am I leveraging my strengths?
• Have I been open to new perspectives?

Like millions of people, I’m not good at sticking to my resolutions. It is reported that 90% of New Year’s resolutions fail within just a few months. I have good intentions, but having good intentions isn’t enough. Why is that? One of the biggest reasons is I try to change too much, too fast. I underestimate the time and effort it will take, and I overestimate how quickly I’ll see results. Classic planning fallacy. The less we know, the easier we think something will be. We don’t know what we don’t know. Another major reason I fail to stick with my resolutions is I pick things I think I should do because of some external influence rather than what I need to do because there is something tangible in it for me (i.e., the WIFM). We pick things that sound good, but we really haven’t bought in.

So, what can be done to increase my odds of sticking with my resolutions, of making them my new habits? It is often said that it takes 21 days to make a habit. But in reality, it takes much longer to make a permanent change—months not days. How long it takes varies from person to person and situation to situation. Bottom line, you must have perseverance. Keeping it simple, here are a few suggestions.

• Stick with one or two resolutions. Less is more.
• Select resolutions with a tangible benefit.
• Set progressive goals. What does success look like at two weeks, at one month, etc.
• Program the new behavior into your schedule. Routines reinforce habits.
• Use temptation bundling. Pair your desired new behavior with something you already enjoy.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. None of us are perfect. Give yourself a break; missing a few times doesn’t equal failure.

My main resolution for the new year is being a better leader. (Note: Another technique that can help you stick with a resolution/change is to make it public. Telling others you’re making a commitment can help you stick with your plan.) Keeping it simple, I have two main goals.

• Prioritize two-way positive and constructive feedback
• Embrace trying new things

It’s an old adage that people are born leaders. While some might have a natural affinity for leadership, leadership is like any other competency—it requires deliberate practice and skill building to develop it to its fullest. To help me stick with my resolutions this year, I’ve set a goal to ask at least three colleagues for feedback in January, and I’m going to program it into my schedule by setting up lunch dates at a new restaurant I’m curious to check out. I’m hoping this small nudge will get me going on forming a new habit.

— Published January 2, 2024