New Year's Day represents more than a calendar change. It offers a fresh start and new possibilities. This transition inspires many to embrace new opportunities for growth and change. The tradition of making New Year's resolutions naturally encourages self-improvement and personal achievements. As a result, people view this time as an opportunity to reset, learn from past mistakes, and establish new goals for the year ahead. Let's find practical inspiration for New Year's resolutions from 'Big Magic,' 'Your Best Year Ever,' and 'The 12 Week Year' to help make your resolutions stick.
What are New Year's resolutions?
"The best way to predict your future is to create it." – Michael Hyatt, 'Your Best Year Ever'
New Year's Eve is an ideal moment for reflection. The major deadlines are over, vacation time is near, and you can take your time with a fresh notebook to map out your goals for the coming year. Writing strengthens intention, and logging your goals constantly reminds you to take action. Having your goals written out helps you track progress and celebrate your achievements. Plus, it is nice to look back and see that your intentions have come true.
Nearly half of Americans create a list of promises to themselves every year. Psychologists believe that these New Year's resolutions can work and change lives for the better. You just have to learn how to make the right promises and learn how to keep them.
What do people typically promise?
Improve physical health
Read more
Wake up half an hour or an hour earlier
Create a structured daily routine
Go to bed earlier
Start dancing lessons
Take professional courses
Master specialized computer programs
Practice regular workplace exercises
Spend more time with loved ones
Schedule regular health check-ups
Walk more
Declutter living spaces
Do random acts of kindness
Many people also promise to improve their work-life balance because, by the end of the year, many of us are close to burnout and feel tired, aren't we?
Crafting resolutions that work
People use various tools and methods for setting goals and planning their achievements. These approaches can work separately or in combination, as the key is remembering that the planning process is very personal. Rather than copying ready-made templates, aim to create your own style.
Think about it: you won't need to search for those vague '50 Most Popular Goals for the Year lists online,' allowing you to avoid a situation where you set goals that others or that all "successful" people set, but the truth is that you don't need them at all.
"Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life." – Michael Hyatt, 'Your Best Year Ever'
Start by deciding what's most important: reducing stress, deepening relationships, or building emotional strength. Tailor your resolutions around these priorities. Instead of vague goals like "be happier" or "feel less stressed," schedule a 10-minute mindfulness session each day and set some boundaries for your work-life balance.
Set your goals smartly
The SMART goal-setting system helps distinguish between dreams and goals. So, here's what makes a goal SMART:
Specific: The goal should be clear and exact, without ambiguity or generalizations.
Measurable: It can be objectively determined/measured (finances, pounds, calories, hours). It is vital to have a plan with numbers!
Achievable: The goal should be realistic and attainable depending on the available resources and circumstances.
Relevant: It should be meaningful and consistent with your values and strategic directions.
Time-bound: The goal should have a specific deadline (it can be crossed out).
How to stay on track
After formulating the goal, ask yourself: What value will it bring to my life? How will it change my life? Will it get me closer to the future I want? How will it affect other areas of my life? Thus, you will once again check your goal for truthfulness.
Let's look at an example:
Declutter my kitchen (February 2025)
Lose weight by 15 pounds (March 2025)
Road trip (July 2025)
Read 50 books during 2025
Start by listing your long-term goals for the year. Identify one fundamental goal and several secondary ones for each area of life. Then, organize these goals by month and transform each monthly goal into specific tasks. Each morning, review your daily to-do list and analyze what actions today will bring you closer to your larger goals and what resources you have today.
"You can't improve what you don't measure." - Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington, 'The 12 Week Year'
Personal planning is essential for creating your desired lifestyle, whether developing new habits, nurturing meaningful relationships, or pursuing your dreams. It helps you stay connected to what truly matters and align your actions with your core values. However, planning is most effective when you first take the time to envision your ideal future. Begin with your vision, and allow it to guide each step you take moving forward.
"Success is not about being perfect, but about staying committed to the process of progress." – Michael Hyatt, 'Your Best Year Ever'
To make your goals realistic, jot down a step-by-step to-do list of how to achieve them in small milestones. If you want to finish 50 books in a year, when will you carve out time for this? Choose a specific list of essential books, agree with whom you will discuss what you have read, and break down this number of books by month.
Innovative resolution ideas
Let's explore inspiring New Year's resolution ideas that can enhance your professional, intellectual, and mental growth! These suggestions aren't just for the afterparty time of year; they can evolve into meaningful commitments that can improve your life.
Embrace continuous learning for personal growth
"The things you do daily create the results you achieve yearly." – Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington, 'The 12 Week Year'
Many people don't fully realize the incredible abilities that their brains possess. But like any muscle, your mind needs regular exercise and new challenges to improve. Always seek to learn something new. Align your studies with your professional interests and personal passions. Choose the books that excite you, explore captivating podcasts, and enroll in courses or lectures that spark your curiosity. Don't forget to take notes. Set clear goals for what you want to achieve from your studies, and look for ways to apply what you learn. Avoid wasting time; choose studies that yield practical results — outcomes that can bring you income, fulfillment, or, ideally, both.
"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." – Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington, 'The 12 Week Year'
Read more books, but how?
The best and most reliable method for acquiring qualitatively new knowledge is, of course, books. Books offer new insights, time-tested wisdom, and countless lived experiences. They're a cultural gateway and a uniquely rewarding way to spend time.
"I believe that our planet is inhabited not only by animals and plants and bacteria and viruses, but also by ideas. Ideas are a disembodied, energetic life-form. They are completely separate from us, but capable of interacting with us—albeit strangely." – Elizabeth Gilbert, 'Big Magic'
While many aspire to consume more literature, busy schedules can make this goal seem unattainable due to a lack of time. But thanks to these life hacks, it's easy to find time for reading even on the busiest days:
Read several books at the same time. Tackle non-fiction in the morning or afternoon, enjoy lighter fiction during walks or commutes, and savor complex narratives in the evening.
2 Use multiple media. For example, you can mix traditional printed works with digital editions and audio versions.
3 Audiobooks are convenient to listen to during commutes, walks, household tasks, or meal preparation. This approach helps you maximize existing time rather than carving out additional hours.
4 You can use the Headway app to listen to summaries of self-help books. To understand the key ideas, you should spend just 15 minutes on each.
Explore new hobbies
"So this, I believe, is the central question upon which all creative living hinges: Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?"
― Elizabeth Gilbert, 'Big Magic'
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting, crafting can bring you joy and creativity. The rise of upcycling has filled social media with amazing transformations of old clothes and furniture. Needle felting, creating lifelike figures like animals or flowers, and epoxy resin crafts, from jewelry to customized wooden furniture, offer boundless opportunities for creativity.
Beyond these, exploring a creative outlet like drawing, knitting, or playing music can bring a wonderful sense of accomplishment and serve as a refreshing therapeutic break. You can also try something new or long forgotten for yourself, like embroidery, scrapbooking, photography, choir singing, pottery classes, or gardening. These hobbies not only spark creativity but also add color to daily life.
Better yet, new hobbies lead to meaningful friendships, which add joy and enhance our overall quality of life. Connecting through fun activities brings happiness and improves well-being. Come along and join the creative journey!
Prioritize mental health
The World Health Organization predicts that by 2030, mental illness and workplace absences due to psychological challenges will become the workplace's biggest hurdle.
Mental health reflects a state of well-being that helps people unlock their creativity, handle daily challenges, stay productive, and engage with their community.
In the modern world, people face a lot of stress, multitasking, the noise of big cities, and daily scrolling through social media feeds. This pressure can often disrupt a person's balance. It is crucial to prioritize self-care and well-being. Your thoughts and emotions influence your physical health, relationships, and work.
"The key to finding happiness in this life is realizing that the only way to overcome is to transcend; to find happiness in the simple pleasures, to master the art of just being." ― Brianna Wiest, 'The Pivot Year'
What can you change in 2025?
Stick to a daily routine. Try to start and end your day with simple rituals, such as a daily skin routine or having a cup of tea. Realize that rest is as essential as eating or sleeping. Set aside time for rest daily through activities that recharge you, such as reading or playing with a pet. It's time for quiet, awareness, walks in the fresh air with your favorite playlist, and meditations.
Strategies for success
Setting goals and having a strong initial desire is easy, but maintaining resolutions takes dedication. So, how can you realistically stay committed to your goals throughout the year?
Share your decision with others
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments." – Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington, 'The 12 Week Year'
Writing down your decisions is a great step, but if no one else is aware of them, it's easy to forget or overlook those choices. When others don't notice or care about your goals, you may lose interest in achieving them.
People who share their goals with others often feel obligated and responsible for fulfilling them. If they don't follow through, they will disappoint everyone who believes in them, including themselves. Nowadays, people often find like-minded people online. For example, you can share your goals and find a support group on Instagram. The ideal option would be offline meetings with friends who live in your area or work colleagues, if possible.
Take your goal-setting to the next level by creating an inspirational group — a vibrant community of highly motivated people united by shared goals and a commitment to growth. Together, you can inspire, support, and hold each other accountable, making success more achievable and rewarding. Surrounding yourself with a community of supportive go-getters could be the game-changer that keeps you on track and propels you toward your dreams. Why do it alone when you can thrive together?
Monitor your progress
Staying on track with your goals requires regular check-ins. Schedule a monthly goal review during the first week of each month. During a review, you should break down big goals into smaller tasks and spread them out over different weeks throughout the month. Check your progress weekly to see how you're advancing toward your monthly targets. Even a quick daily note about steps taken toward your goals can make a huge difference throughout the year.
Review your goals regularly — for example, once every three or six months. Life is dynamic and full of uncertainty, and situations change quickly. Your goals should adapt to reflect what's happening in your life. When your inner compass guides you, doing what matters to you is easy!
Utilizing the Headway app in reaching your New Year's resolutions
Are you looking for a tool to help you gain new knowledge, develop your skills, and learn continuously? Do you want to read more than 50 books in the new year? That sounds incredible!
It is possible with Headway, an application where you can listen to or read self-help books in 15 minutes and get valuable insights. With the Headway app, you can set goals for those areas of knowledge necessary to you, such as self-love or success, and receive recommendations from a library that contains non-fiction bestsellers. You'll love getting daily reminders to stick to your reading goals. Give it a try, and you'll find joy in reading books and further enhancing your personal development.
