Every January, we start the year with fire in our bones. We write long lists of goals, determined that this year will be different, and promise ourselves a fresh start. But then, halfway into the year, those same goals are quietly abandoned.
The notebook closes. The gym shoes gather dust. And you look at yourself and ask, “Is this me again? Then again, you say next year.
Maybe you planned to learn a skill, save more money, read more books, or finally start that project. But now it’s the end of the year, and nothing has moved.
So you may be wondering: must there always be “new year, new me”? Why do people fail their resolutions? And what exactly is a resolution, and what is it not?
Let’s unwrap some facts and myths.
Myth 1: A new year automatically brings new motivation
People assume January has magical energy. It doesn’t. Dates don’t change people; habits do. A man once told me he waited till January to start eating healthy.
By February, he was back to late-night snacks because he didn’t change the environment around him. If you keep the same habits, you get the same results, no matter the month.
Fact: People succeed when they start small and stay consistent
Someone who starts walking 10 minutes a day is more likely to stay consistent than someone who begins with a strict one-hour plan. The brain prefers gradual change. Small steps compound.
Myth 2: A resolution must be big to matter
Many people fail because their goals are too dramatic. “I will read 50 books.” “I will save ₦1 million.” “I will lose 20kg.” These goals sound inspiring, but they create pressure. When the first slip happens, discouragement follows.
Fact: A resolution is a direction, not a Prison
Real progress is about gently adjusting your life, not forcing it with a set of new, rigid rules. If you want to write a book next year, you do not have to complete a chapter a day or a week.
Myth 3: If you miss a day, you have failed
This single belief destroys more resolutions than anything else. People quit simply because they broke the streak.
Fact: Progress is not straightforward
The bible says, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.”
Missing a day is normal. What matters is restarting quickly, not perfectly. Keep going!
So, what should a resolution actually be?
A resolution is a commitment to improve your life at your own pace, not a strict pledge tied to January. It is not a magic formula, a competition, or a performance for social media. It is simply a promise to yourself that you are willing to keep in small steps.
Better approaches you can try:
- Pick one goal, not ten.
- Break it into weekly actions.
- Make the environment support you (e.g., remove distractions).
- Share your goals with someone who will check in.
- Track progress in simple notes, not perfection.
As you step into the next season, do not focus on a new year. But instead, focus on a new strategy and remember, change doesn’t follow the calendar; it follows your habits.