As the clock stroke at midnight on 31 December 2025, millions of people around the world make a familiar promise to themselves: “Next year will be different” (…well it most certainly is always!) It’s an age-old tradition that spans centuries, often beginning with optimism and ending, for many, with unfulfilled goals. Yet the practice persists. Why? Because at its core, setting resolutions is about hope, self-improvement, and the belief that tomorrow can be better than today..
But how effective are resolutions in reality? How much difference does it make to write them down, use a planner, or share them with someone else? And if we don’t quite meet them — does it really matter?
A Short History of Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions have surprisingly ancient roots. The Babylonians are credited with some of the earliest recorded traditions of making promises at the start of a new year, over 4,000 years ago. Their new year began in mid-March with a 12-day festival called Akitu, where they pledged loyalty to their king and promised to repay debts and return borrowed goods. It wasn’t called a “resolution,” but the sentiment was much the same.
Later, the Romans followed suit. When Julius Caesar established January 1 as the start of the new year in 46 BC, the month was named after Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and transitions. Janus looked both backward into the old year and forward into the new, symbolising reflection and renewal. Romans made offerings and vows to act with integrity in the year ahead.
Over time, religious and cultural traditions added layers of meaning. In the early 18th century, many Christians observed New Year’s as a time of self-reflection, prayer, and making moral commitments for the coming year. By the 19th and 20th centuries, personal resolutions shifted from spiritual commitments to practical self-improvement: eat healthier, exercise more, save money, learn a skill.
Resolutions vs Reality
Modern studies reveal an intriguing paradox: while millions set resolutions, a striking majority don’t sustain them. According to research by the University of Scranton, only about 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Nearly 50% of resolutions fail by the end of January, and 70% by June – lifes challenges happen and get in the way to say the least, then the your course of action becomes altered. The most common resolutions? Improving fitness, losing weight, saving money, and learning something new.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish,” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Why such a low success rate? Psychologists suggest it’s often because resolutions are set with more enthusiasm than strategy. “A goal without a plan is just a wish,” said Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the French writer and pioneering aviator. Writing a resolution down is a start, but it’s the follow-through — the structured, realistic planning — that makes all the difference.
The Power of Writing it Down
The act of writing down a goal has a measurable impact. A famous study by Dr Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at the Dominican University of California, found that people who wrote down their goals were 42% more likely to achieve them than those who didn’t. There’s a psychological shift when we move a thought from the abstract space in our minds to something tangible. A written commitment makes the goal more concrete and reminds us of it regularly. It acts as a visual anchor.
Many planners and goal-setting systems leverage this idea: breaking resolutions into monthly, weekly, or daily steps. Some use structured formats like SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), while others prefer looser journaling or bullet journals. The format matters less than the consistency of returning to it.
As motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once said, “A goal properly set is halfway reached.”
The Digital Age of Resolutions
In 2026, the landscape of goal-setting is no longer confined to paper planners and journals. Digital tools are playing a central role in how people plan, track, and stay accountable to their resolutions. From simple to-do list apps to AI-driven personal productivity platforms, technology offers multiple ways to stay on track.
Some popular tools to consider:
- Todoist – A powerful task manager that allows for recurring goals, reminders, and project breakdowns.
- Notion – A flexible workspace where goals can be structured as pages, databases, or vision boards.
- Google Calendar – Ideal for integrating resolutions into your daily schedule and setting realistic reminders.
- Habitica – A playful way to gamify habits, turning goal achievement into a quest with points and rewards.
- Trello or Asana – Originally built for teams, but just as effective for personal accountability.
Beyond tools, the buddy system remains a strong predictor of success. Sharing your resolutions with a trusted friend or accountability partner can increase your chances of following through. In Matthews’ study, participants who sent regular progress updates to a friend were significantly more likely to meet their goals. Technology now makes this easier through shared task lists, group chats, or collaborative apps like Slack or WhatsApp.
Why Resolutions Fail — and Why That’s Okay
Despite the tools, trackers, and motivational quotes, many resolutions don’t last. And that’s not a personal failure — it’s human nature. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Unrealistic goals: Setting resolutions that are too ambitious can lead to burnout or discouragement.
- Vague intentions: “Get healthy” or “make more money” is too broad to act upon. Specific steps are key.
- Lack of structure: Resolutions without a roadmap often drift away by February.
- Life happens: Illness, job changes, unexpected events — goals sometimes take a backseat.
Brené Brown, author and researcher, put it plainly: “Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.”
The truth is, the calendar is a construct. While January 1 carries symbolic weight, there’s no universal rule that says goals must be achieved within a fixed timeframe. If a resolution falters in March, it can be reignited in April – or October. Each day offers a fresh slate.
A Holistic Approach to Resolutions
Success doesn’t always come from rigid structure. A more holistic approach to resolutions acknowledges the human experience — our changing moods, energy levels, and external circumstances.
- Start with Why
Before writing anything down, reflect on why you want to achieve this resolution. Is it genuinely meaningful, or something you feel you “should” do? Goals rooted in intrinsic motivation (because they matter to you) are far more sustainable than those rooted in external pressure. - Visualise, Don’t Just List
Some people find vision boards or mind maps more inspiring than rigid lists. Visualisation taps into emotional commitment and can make goals feel more real. - Break It Down
A year-long goal can feel daunting. Break it into monthly milestones or weekly actions. Instead of “Write a book,” aim for “Write 500 words every day.” - Build Rituals, Not Just Tasks
Resolutions stick better when they’re part of daily rituals rather than forced obligations. A five-minute morning journal can do more than an elaborate, overwhelming plan. - Allow Flexibility
Life isn’t linear. Plans can change. Allowing room for adaptation is healthier than abandoning goals altogether. - Celebrate Small Wins
Progress isn’t always loud or dramatic. Acknowledge every step — big or small. It builds momentum.
Digital Aids to Stay on Track
Alongside traditional journals and planners, digital aids can support these holistic approaches:
- Daily Habit Trackers such as Streaks or Loop Habit Tracker encourage consistency through gentle reminders.
- AI-based productivity assistants like Motion or Sunsama can help restructure daily schedules in response to changing priorities.
- Goal-sharing platforms such as Beeminder or StickK allow users to make public commitments (or even wager money) to stay accountable.
- Calendar blocking on tools like Outlook or Google Calendar turns aspirations into actionable time commitments.
For some, combining digital tools with a tangible notebook brings the best of both worlds. Writing by hand engages different parts of the brain, while digital reminders provide the nudge to stay consistent.
Gathering Your Support
One of the most underestimated factors in goal achievement is community. When you share your resolution with others — whether a friend, mentor, or online group — the sense of shared accountability can dramatically boost your chances of success.
Consider joining or creating small “resolution circles” where people meet (virtually or in person) once a month to check in on progress. This isn’t about judgement; it’s about encouragement, shared learning, and problem-solving.
As motivational author Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Surrounding yourself with motivated, supportive individuals can help keep your own resolutions on track.
When Things Don’t Go to Plan
Here’s the truth: even the best planners, apps, and strategies won’t guarantee perfect follow-through. Life is unpredictable. Some goals will shift. Some will be postponed. Some will be abandoned altogether — and that’s perfectly alright.
There are 365 days in 2026. Every single one is a chance to begin again. If January falls apart, February can be a fresh start. If June brings setbacks, July offers a new horizon. And if a resolution truly no longer fits your life, it can be let go without guilt.
American author Mary Anne Radmacher once wrote, “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” That quiet voice is what sustains meaningful change.
And should your goals evolve into something new altogether? That’s growth — not failure.
The Planner Question: Do They Work?
Planners, whether on paper or digital, are only as powerful as the habits behind them. For some, a beautifully structured planner can transform a year. For others, it gathers dust by February. The effectiveness isn’t in the planner itself, but in the relationship between intention, action, and self-compassion. If you’re a visual person, physical planners might inspire you. If you live by your phone, digital tools might keep you better aligned. If you’re somewhere in between, a hybrid model may work best.
The real magic is consistency — and forgiving yourself when it slips.
A Gentle Reminder for 2026
The year 2026 offers 365 fresh opportunities to shape your path, one day at a time. Whether your resolution is to launch a business, run a marathon, write a novel, or simply be kinder to yourself, remember:
- Goals are guides, not shackles.
- Progress isn’t linear.
- Your worth isn’t tied to the number of resolutions you keep.
- There’s always room for a fresh start.
And if you don’t meet every resolution by December 2026? There’s always 2027.
