Table of Contents
Do not index
Do not index
Read time: under 3 minutes
Why resolutions fail and fixes
New Year’s resolutions aren’t just trendy promises; they’re personal goals with a start date that feels fresh and full of potential.
A good resolution helps bridge the gap between who you are now and who you want to become. Think of it as a mini-strategy session for your future self.
When done right, resolutions can steer you toward long-term goals, whether it’s building healthier habits, advancing your career, or just being kinder to yourself.
They’re a chance to reset, refocus, and grow—but only if you take them seriously.
The reality though…
Most resolutions crash and burn by February. Why?
Unrealistic expectations, lack of planning, and a sprinkle of “I’ll wing it.”
Too often, people set vague goals like “I’ll get fit” or “I’ll save money” without clear actions to back them up.
Life gets busy, motivation fades, and without a plan, your good intentions turn into guilt. Add a bit of self-sabotage (like trying to do everything at once), and you’ve got the perfect recipe for failure.
A great resolution is realistic, specific, and built for you.
It’s not about aiming for perfection; it’s about choosing something you can actually stick to.
Here’s the golden rule:
- Make your goal actionable and measurable. Instead of saying, “I’ll read more,” try, “I’ll read one book a month.”
- Avoid resolutions driven by external pressure or guilt—if it doesn’t genuinely excite you, you won’t commit.
- And for the love of all things achievable, don’t overload yourself with ten resolutions at once. Focus on one or two that matter most.
Your New Year’s resolution checklist 🏆
Before you commit to a resolution, run it through this 10-point checklist:
- Is it specific? Can you clearly define it?
- Is it measurable? How will you track progress?
- Is it tied to a bigger goal? Think long-term impact.
- Is it realistic? Don’t aim for the moon when you’re just learning to build the rocket.
- Have you broken it into steps? Small wins keep momentum alive.
- Have you told someone? Accountability works wonders.
- Have you set a timeline? Deadlines make goals real.
- What’s your why? Know the reason behind your goal.
- Does it align with your priorities? Focus on what truly matters.
- Does it excite you? If you’re not invested, you won’t stick with it.
Final thought
Resolutions aren’t magic—they’re choices.
A great one is like planting a seed: it won’t grow overnight, but with care and consistency, it’ll flourish.
This year, ditch the pressure to be perfect and focus on progress instead. Start small, be patient, and celebrate every step forward.
You don’t need to wait for January 1st to change your life, but when that day comes, show up for yourself.
You’re worth it 🫶
Whenever you're ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:
1. Junior Designer Bundle: Transition into UX with my playbooks: breaking down portfolios, applications, and UX frameworks, to build a solid career foundation. Craft an unforgettable portfolio & get hired.
2. Senior Designer Bundle: Become a design leader with systems to build healthier, happier teams and grow you and others meaningfully. Join 500+ aspiring leaders.
3. UX Portfolio Critique: Get a 20-minute video of brutally honest feedback, a checklist of things to fix, in less than 48 hours. Get a personalised portfolio critique here.
4. Job Sprint Course: Stand out in an unpredictable job market by building a memorable personal brand and a killer job search strategy. Get hired in UX with Job Sprint.
