Stop Doing One-Year Resolutions. Do this instead.

Why Starting Now is a Game-Changer

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In my personal experience, everytime I would write my new years resolution, I knew deep down I would not stick to it. I would write them down in a Google Docs and leave it to get lost in my Drive. And after 6 months, find it and be like “did I write this?”

However, this year was filled with constant change. I am learning to juggle two jobs, my hobbies, my responsibilities, and my relationship. I know that I have to be prepared for 2025.

With just 87 days left until the new year, this is your moment to make a meaningful change. Instead of waiting for January, why not start now? By the time 2025 begins, you’ll already have momentum. You’ll walk into the new year with habits formed, progress made, and a sense of purpose. It’s like giving yourself a head start.

The problem with year-long resolutions is that 12 months is too long. It feels distant, which leads to procrastination. When you think you have all year to reach a goal, you put off the hard work until it’s almost too late. What if, instead, you treated each quarter of the year like a mini-year? Imagine the progress you could make if every three months was treated like a complete year — filled with focused goals and tangible steps. Would you act differently today if your “yearly” goal had a deadline in just one month? Time will pass anyway, so why not make every second count?

Yearly Goals Are Overwhelming

Most year-long goals are massive. “Lose 20 pounds,” “save $10,000,” or “learn a new skill.” They sound great, but they can feel paralyzing because they’re so big and vague. Without breaking them down, you don’t know where to start, and that leads to feeling overwhelmed and stuck.

Take “lose 20 pounds” for example. Without a plan, it’s hard to know what your next step is. How often will you exercise? What will you eat? When will you track your progress? Without a roadmap, motivation fades quickly.

The solution is to set realistic, manageable goals. Use the SMART model to define them: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Instead of a broad goal like “lose weight”, break it down: “I will lose 1 pound a week for the next 10 weeks by walking for 30 minutes each day, meal prepping every Sunday, and cutting out sugary drinks.” This way, your goal feels less overwhelming because you’ve laid out the exact steps.

And remember, some goals are more realistic than others in a short time frame. If your dream is to climb Mount Everest, it’s unlikely you’ll be ready in three months without proper training or preparation. The same goes for financial goals: if you’re aiming to pay off $10,000 in debt but your income hasn’t changed, you’ll need to take smaller steps like cutting expenses or finding side income to chip away at it.

The key is to set goals that are realistic in the short term but contribute to your bigger vision. Maybe you won’t conquer Everest in three months, but you can commit to training and hitting smaller mountains as you prepare for the ultimate goal. Maybe you won’t erase all your debt in 90 days, but you can start an aggressive savings plan that puts you on track.

Vague Goals Lead to Procrastination

One of the biggest reasons resolutions fail is because they’re too vague. If your goal is to “save more money,” what does that even mean? How much is “more”? How will you do it? Without a clear path, procrastination sneaks in. You need a step-by-step process to move from point A to point B.

Here’s where the SMART model comes into play again. You need to be specific and focus on what’s within your control. Instead of saying “I want to save $5,000,” focus on the action steps that will get you there. “I will save $100 a week by cutting my dining-out budget, canceling unnecessary subscriptions, and setting up automatic transfers to my savings account.”

Also, think in terms of what can and cannot control. Find something you control directly, like cutting back on spending or adding a side hustle. Think about what you cannot control, which is the final result, like saving $5,000. Focus on the lead actions because they are within your control, and detach emotionally from those you cannot control. They will follow naturally if you stay consistent with the process.

Random Resolutions Without Systems Are Useless

Resolutions are easy to make but difficult to keep if you don’t have systems in place. Without a clear, repeatable process, your goals are just ideas floating around with no structure to support them.

Take, for example, the goal of getting in shape. If you don’t have a workout routine or meal plan, you’ll struggle to stay consistent. You need systems to help you build habits that last. A system might include setting a weekly gym schedule, meal prepping on Sundays, or tracking your food intake.

Remember, goals are important, but systems are what make them achievable. A goal without a system is like a car without an engine — it looks good on paper, but it won’t take you anywhere. Systems create structure, and once they’re in place, you can tweak and improve them over time to make sure they work for you.

How to Apply This to Your Life (Even with a 9–5 Job)

If you’re working a 9–5 job, balancing personal goals with a busy schedule can be tough. The good news is that shorter periods and effective systems can help you stay on track. Let’s look at some practical examples:

• Fitness Goal: If you work full-time, spending hours at the gym every day might not be realistic. Instead, focus on small, daily actions. You could commit to walking 30 minutes during your lunch break or doing a 15-minute workout in the morning. The key is to build consistency.
• Financial Goal: If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, saving a large sum of money might feel impossible. But small steps can still make a big difference. Start by reviewing your budget and cutting out non-essential expenses. Can you save $50 a week by making coffee at home or bringing lunch to work? That’s $600 by the end of three months — proof that small changes add up over time.
• Learning Goal: Want to learn a new skill, but don’t have time for hours of study? Commit to 15 minutes of learning each day. Whether it’s listening to a podcast on your commute, reading a few pages of a book, or taking a quick online course, consistent small actions will help you reach your goal over time.

The key to staying on track with goals, even with a busy schedule, is to keep them manageable. Break them down into small, daily actions that fit your routine.

Be Realistic, Start Small, and Build Momentum

There’s no reason to wait until January to start making a change. By beginning now, you’ll already have momentum when 2025 begins. Just remember, it’s important to be realistic with your goals. If you want to achieve something significant — whether it’s climbing Mount Everest or getting out of $10,000 worth of debt — understand that it might not happen in three months. But you can create steps that move you closer to the bigger picture.

Start today. Break down your goals into manageable steps, design systems that work for you, and embrace the progress that comes with consistent effort. You’ve got 87 days — use them wisely, and make every second count.