I love New Year’s resolutions. I also realize I’m one of the few that actually do. I’m also in a very unique position that allows me to understand why people fail at their resolutions, and how you can avoid those 3 common mistakes:

1. Setting up for failure with unrealistic expectations. This is probably the biggest mistake I see that people make over and over again. Whether it’s losing 50lbs, or making a million dollars, people love to make the most grandiose claims, only to immediately give up once they realize they’ve set impossible goals. Impossible goals require improbable effort. Stop setting yourself up to fail and learn to set more realistic goals.
2. Making broad declarations without a game plan. I hear this all the time as well. When asked what they want to accomplish, people will just say stuff like “I want to be healthier” or “I want more make more money.” Ask a simple follow up question “How will you do that?” and it’s dead silence followed by a blank stare. I call this the brick wall of resolutions because that’s exactly what happens when people realize they have no clue how to achieve their goal – they simply stare at the wall, give a shrug, give up and walk away. Although it might win you the presidency, having “concepts of a plan” probably won’t be very useful otherwise.
3. Going full speed ahead…and flaming out almost immediately. As much as this happens, I applaud people who actually get to this step – at least they tried. However, this is also a very common mistake most beginners make. I use the word beginners deliberately because that’s what we are when we begin our journey – new learners. Instead of taking it slow and learning how to adjust appropriately, people give it their all, burnout right away, then call it quits. It’s the person who goes to the gym for two weeks straight starting in January, then never sets foot in one again afterwards. As the wise turtle says “slow and steady wins the race.”

So if you’re looking to make resolutions for this upcoming year, let’s take a look at what can help:

Make easy, accomplishable goals that you are willing to do…every single time. Realize that it’s a marathon and not a sprint. Accept that it’s going to take time and not happen right away. For example, you want to be healthier. Start with a 10 minute walk every other day. Too hard? Adjust and try to do it once a week. Too easy? Try to increase it to 20 minutes. Resolutions don’t have to be static. Change it up, adjust it, make it achievable. Then just simply do it.