Why You Shouldn’t Make New Year’s Resolutions—and What to Do Instead
Here’s a harsh truth: 91% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions because they rely on unrealistic goals instead of sustainable systems
Every year, millions set ambitious goals, but by February, productivity plans tank, the journals collect dust, and old habits creep back in.
Why?
Because resolutions rely on hope, not systems.
They demand perfection instead of progress.
The fitness industry banks on these failures.
By some estimates, 80% of new gym members quit by mid-February, but they keep paying.
So am I in that 91% of the people who fail to keep their resolutions? You bet I am. And that failure motivated me to take a different approach.
What if, instead of chasing a vague “new you,” you designed micro-experiments that fit your real life?
Small wins compound.
And those tiny experiments? They become sustainable, life-changing habits.
Here's my 2025 anti-resolution, which I am inviting you to join (don't worry - I'll share all of my findings and give you my framework):
Pick 12 things to have a deep experience around.
It might feel difficult to come up with 12, but trust me -
once you get going, the ideas will start flowing.
I like to think of them in the life-bucket categories of health, wealth, and relationships.
A habit you'd like to break.
A habit you'd like to build.
A routine you want to build.
A project you want to start.
New places you want to go.
A career you want to explore.
New friends you want to make.
Then commit to prototype each of them for 21 days.
A three-week sprint, with a week of unstructured time, to reflect, recalibrate, and reset.
Can you imagine how different your life might be, a year after 12 of these experiences?
252 days of intention, with 153 days left for business as usual.
And I lied. I do have ONE 2025 resolution.
Every month I will give you one idea for a 21 challenge.
Not just an idea, but something I already tried, that had enough of a positive impact on my life,
that I feel compelled to share it with you.
Thanks so much for reading along this year, and all my best to you and yours.
See you next year.
