Last weekend at dinner, a good friend asked me, “What are your New Year’s Resolutions?“
I was surprised because most people who know me, both professionally and personally, are aware that I’m not a fan of setting New Year’s Resolutions. Let me explain why.
Why I Don’t Set New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions often set people up for failure. Typically, they’re vague wishes—to lose weight, achieve a better life-work balance, be kinder to a spouse, or make more money—without a concrete plan to achieve those desires. Without changing behaviors and habits, these wishes are unlikely to come true.
Statistically, 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February, leaving many feeling discouraged and with diminished confidence and self-esteem. Worse, they often recycle the same resolutions year after year, perpetuating a cycle of frustration.
What I Do Instead: Living with Intention
The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on how life is going. Our brains appreciate order and timeliness; late December or early January feels like a natural moment to evaluate and plan. However, I’ve moved away from making grandiose resolutions and instead focus on living with intention year-round.
Here’s the system I follow to set intentions and create a theme for the year. It’s simple, adaptable, and more effective for achieving personal and professional goals.
Step 1: Reflect on the Past Year
Review Highs and Lows
I begin by celebrating the successes and acknowledging the past year’s challenges. To jog my memory:
- Scroll through my photo gallery: Smartphones serve as visual diaries. Reviewing photos reminds me of milestones and joyful moments and boosts dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone.
- Review my calendar: I use time-blocking, which clearly shows how I spend my time and highlights achievements or challenges not captured in photos.
Evaluate the Year
After this review, I assess my satisfaction with the year by revisiting the previous year’s intentions and theme.
Step 2: Ask Three Key Questions
Before setting a new theme, I ask myself three quick questions. These spontaneous answers often reveal the most important priorities:
- What do I want to continue doing?
- What do I want to stop doing?
- What do I want to start doing?
My Answers for 2025
- Continue: My self-care habits, coaching and writing, nurturing my relationship with family, and decluttering my home.
- Stop: Spending excessive time on business marketing. I want to stop working so hard at micro-managing my adult children’s problems and allow them to evolve and grow independently. That doesn’t mean I won’t be there to support, listen, and give advice—but only if asked for.
- Start: Outsourcing marketing chores to professionals. Exploring new activities like yoga or Pilates and redecorating my family room and dining room.
Step 3: Choose a Theme for the Year
I create a succinct theme to guide my year based on these reflections. For 2025, my theme is:
Simplify, Beautify, and Connect
Step 4: Quarterly and Weekly Planning
To turn my intentions into reality, I break them into actionable steps:
Quarterly Goals
I set specific goals for each quarter. For example, in Q1, I plan to repaint the family room and purchase a new rug and window blinds.
Weekly Goals
Every Sunday, I write measurable goals that support my quarterly plans. For example, this week, I’ll finalize paint colors with a designer and confirm the painter’s schedule for January 20th.
Step 5: Stay on Track
I ensure my actions align with my theme by asking if they support “Simplify, Beautify, and Connect.” Doing so creates a cohesive and intentional approach to the year.
Your Turn: Make 2025 a Year of Intentional Success
When December rolls around again, what will allow you to say, “2025 was a successful year“? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
- Review your photo gallery and calendar from the past year. Note highlights and challenges.
- Reflect on what you’ve learned.
- Answer the three key questions: What will you continue, stop, and start doing?
- Choose a theme that reflects your intentions.
- Create a quarterly plan with specific, actionable goals.
- Commit to weekly planning to track your progress.
- Reassess and update your plans quarterly.
My process isn’t magic or rocket science—just a practical formula for a satisfying, intentional year.
Need Support? Let’s Talk
Let’s connect if you need help creating your unique plan and staying accountable. Schedule a complimentary session to learn how coaching can help you make 2025 a year to be proud of!
