Stop Making New Year’s Resolutions

Adrian S. Potter
4 min readDec 17, 2023

Do this instead.

Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash

People conjure up resolutions at the start of every year like clockwork, all in the name of self-improvement.

But that doesn’t mean they’re worth a damn.

New Year’s resolutions often prove ineffective for personal growth due to their inherently arbitrary nature. The pressure to set ambitious goals on a specific date can lead to unrealistic expectations and a lack of genuine commitment.

Resolutions are frequently fueled by societal expectations rather than authentic personal introspection, resulting in superficial objectives.

Moreover, the all-or-nothing mentality associated with resolutions can trigger discouragement and abandonment of goals at the first setback. Sustainable personal development requires continuous effort and a realistic, adaptable approach rather than tethering willpower to a particular calendar event.

In contrast, establishing gradual, well-defined habits throughout the year fosters lasting change by promoting consistency and perseverance when facing challenges.

But the allure of New Year, New Me is too hypnotic. So what can be done in place of resolutions?

In the past few years, I have taken a more mindful approach to goal setting by using a powerful annual review…

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Adrian S. Potter

Antisocial Extrovert · Writer and Poet, Engineer, Consultant, Public Speaker · Writing about self-improvement, gratitude, and creativity · www.adrianspotter.com