Just because you’ve never been able to stick to your NY resolutions doesn’t mean other people shouldn’t make them…

I’ve been hesitant to share with my clients and networks about my New Year’s “resolutions”. It seems that “resolutions” have gotten a bad rap in recent years. The messages I receive are that they’re meaningless, they don’t actually help people make changes, 92% of people fail at their resolutions, everyone gives up in the first few days of January…blah blah blah. And I was letting this message get to me. If I’m a health coach, I guess I shouldn’t be telling people about my resolutions and telling them to make their own if they don’t work.


But I’m calling BS. Because “resolutions” have worked for me in the past. And they can work for you too.

I put “resolutions” in quotes because I think we all have a different idea of what that means, and the types of “resolutions” that fail may not be the types of “resolutions” I’m talking about that can work.

If we think about where that word comes from, we’re talking about resolving to do something. Making a decision with determination to accomplish what we set out to do.

For me, the distinction between the resolutions that fail and those that don’t is intention versus commitment.

An intention is an aim or an idea. It seems that many people set intentions for the new year — that is, they come up with ideas for their year. Dreaming about what it’d be like to exercise more, lose 20 pounds, see friends and family more, try new foods, make more money, find more fulfillment, be more present, quit *insert unhealthy habit here*.

And there is ABSOLUTELY a time and place for intention setting. If you want to change your life, that’s where you start. You have to know what you want so you can ask for it. But that’s not where it ends. Or actually, that is where it ends if you stop there.

But if you really want your life to change, you have to change your life, not just your ideas.

A commitment, on the other hand, is a decision to dedicate and restrict your time to actually doing your resolution. You create a plan, make it specific and measurable, and add in accountability to make sure you follow through. And then you do it.

Now, it’s not as easy as one-two-three, but you’ll be a lot more likely to follow through when you decide you’re actually going to do something (not just wouldn’t it be nice…) and have a plan of action.

So back to the New Year’s part — at what other point in your life are you sitting down and intentionally designing your life? Choosing what you want and making commitments to get it? Why not use the New Year to make it happen? It’s as good a time as any.

Use the energy of the collective consciousness of billions of people who have agreed on the calendar that says January 1 is a time for new beginnings, and begin anew.

​I wish you all the success, growth, and happiness in 2024. Happy New Year!