The Great Debate: Should You Set New Year’s Resolutions?

New Year’s Resolutions: A Tradition, or a Trap?

Every year, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions with the best intentions. Some focus on personal goals, like “I’m going to lose weight,” while others target business milestones, like “I’m going to scale my company this year.” The start of a new year feels like the perfect opportunity for a fresh beginning, and it’s easy to get swept up in the “new year, new me” mentality.

But here’s the truth:

Most resolutions fail.

In fact, research shows that around 80% of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned by February. Whether it’s personal goals like health and fitness or professional ambitions like business growth, we often start the year strong only to lose momentum. Why is that? Most resolutions fail because they’re based on hope and wishful thinking rather than strategic execution. They’re often reactive rather than proactive, driven by emotional impulse rather than clear, actionable planning.

Goal Setting vs. Resolutions: Why One Works and the Other Doesn’t

Understanding the difference between goal setting and making a resolution is key. A resolution is often broad, vague, and lacks a concrete action plan. For example, “I’m going to lose weight” is a resolution, but it lacks specificity and accountability.

A well-set goal, on the other hand, is specific, measurable, and tied to a concrete plan of action. For instance, instead of “I’m going to lose weight,” a goal would look more like: “I’m going to lose 20 pounds by June by working out four days a week and following a meal plan.”

According to research from Harvard Business Review, people who set clear, written goals are 10 times more likely to succeed than those who don’t. Goal setting isn’t just a matter of making a wish; it’s about outlining a process and committing to action.

Why Most Resolutions Fail: Lack of Cause-Driven Action

Most resolutions focus on the effect—what you want to achieve. For example, you may want to double your business revenue or drop 20 pounds.

But those outcomes are the effect, not the cause. The cause is what you actually do to make those things happen. Successful people focus on the actions and habits that lead to their desired outcomes, not just the outcome itself.

For instance:

• Effect: “I want to lose 20 pounds.”

• Cause: “I will work out 4 times a week, meal prep every Sunday, and track my calorie intake.”

By focusing on the cause (the daily habits and actions), the effect (the goal) naturally follows. Too many people are emotionally tied to the outcome and end up ignoring the process, which is why resolutions often fail. Successful goal achievers know it’s about the journey, not just the destination.

Try vs. Commitment: The Real Difference Between Success and Failure

When you say you’re going to “try” to do something, it leaves room for failure. It’s a half-hearted approach that lacks accountability. Saying you’ll “try” gives you an easy out when things get tough.

Commitment is entirely different. When you commit, you’re all in—no matter what obstacles come up, you do whatever it takes to stay on track. It’s a mindset shift from “I’ll try to reach my goal” to “I’m committed to making this happen.”

Legendary entrepreneur Tony Robbins puts it simply: “There’s no abiding success without commitment.” People who succeed in business, fitness, or any other area don’t “try.” They commit to a series of actions that lead to success, even on the hard days.

Why Accountability Matters

Studies also show how powerful accountability is in achieving goals. According to research by the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD), you have a 65% chance of completing a goal if you commit to someone else. If you have a specific accountability appointment with a coach, mentor, or even a friend, your chance of success increases to 95%.

This is why having a coach or accountability partner is one of the most powerful tools you can leverage when setting goals—it’s a proven boost to help you stay on track.

Goal Planning and Commitment: The Stats Speak for Themselves

People who set structured goals and create detailed plans to achieve them are far more successful than those who simply make resolutions. Here are a few statistics to consider:

• 92% of people who set New Year’s resolutions never achieve them, according to research from the University of Scranton.

• People who create specific, actionable plans are 42% more likely to reach their goals than those who only make resolutions.

• Entrepreneurs with a coach or mentor are 5 times more likely to achieve their business goals than those who go it alone.

These numbers emphasize that success isn’t about making resolutions but about commitment, planning, and accountability.

Focus on the Year 2025: Making This Year Your Best Yet

As we look ahead to 2025, now is the perfect time to get serious about your goals. But if you’re determined to make 2025 the year you break through, you need more than just a resolution—you need a commitment to the process.

Are you ready to finally achieve the goals you’ve been setting year after year?

This year, make a commitment instead of a resolution. Plan your actions, stay accountable, and focus on the cause rather than the effect. Instead of saying “I’m going to try,” decide that you’re going to do it—and follow through with a plan.

Root Causes: The Key to Long-Term Success

When I work with clients, we focus on the root causes of what’s holding them back, not just the symptoms. Whether it’s a business plateau, personal challenges, or bad habits, the key to success is identifying the underlying beliefs, habits, and behaviors that are preventing progress. Without addressing these deeper issues, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of setting and abandoning resolutions.

For example, many people set goals like losing weight or increasing revenue, but they often overlook the self-doubt, fear of failure, or limiting beliefs that may be sabotaging their efforts. The same applies to entrepreneurs who want to scale their businesses but lack the right systems or strategies to do so.

Resolutions alone don’t work—they fail to address the real obstacles to success. The key is to look beneath the surface and tackle the root causes, whether that means breaking free from limiting beliefs or building stronger business systems.

By exploring the 12 areas of life—from business and career to personal growth and health—you can begin to identify what’s really holding you back. When you understand the root causes, you can create meaningful, lasting change. That’s when the magic happens: not just in setting goals, but in achieving them.

The 2025 Vision: Why Accountability and Cause-Driven Action Matter

As you step into 2025, ask yourself: What are the root causes that have been holding you back in previous years? Whether you’re focusing on personal growth or business success, this is your year to break the cycle. Focus on cause-driven action, create a plan, and hold yourself accountable.

Don’t just try—commit.

It’s time to make 2025 your best year yet, with a clear roadmap to success that goes beyond resolutions and taps into real, meaningful change.

Take Action: Your 2025 Breakthrough

If you’re ready to go beyond surface-level resolutions and finally break through to the next level, consider what has truly been holding you back and how you can commit to changing your habits, actions, and mindset. Focus on what you can control and put the power of accountability behind your goals.

Whether you’re aiming for personal transformation or business growth, this is the year to make it happen—with cause-driven action, clear plans, and commitment, not just hope.

Ready to take the next step and transform your business and life in 2025? Click the link below to schedule your complimentary consultation today!

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