Why 92% of New Year's Resolutions fail


I'm not a fan of New Year's resolutions.


I know New Year's is about a fresh start for many people.


What are your New Year's resolutions?


Be honest...


Have you ever followed through on a New Year's resolution?


Me neither.


That explains why gyms are full of new faces in January.


By February, the new faces are gone.


Why do New Year's resolutions fail?


I asked our old friend ChatGPT why New Year's Resolutions fail and the answers are pretty obvious.

1. Unrealistic Goals

Setting goals that are too ambitious or vague (e.g., "lose 50 pounds in a month" or "be happier") makes it hard to achieve and leads to frustration.


I've committed to losing weight so many times. I always plateau after the first five pounds then gain eight pounds a week later.

2. Lack of Specificity

Vague resolutions like "get in shape" or "save
money" lack actionable steps, making it difficult to measure progress or know where to start.

3. No Clear Plan

A resolution without a strategy is just a wish. Many people fail to break down their goals into smaller, manageable steps.

I remember Zig Ziglar telling a story about wanting to lose weight. He didn't set a goal to lose 37 pounds in 10 months. He broke it down into losing 1.97 ounces per day.

4. Over-Reliance on Motivation

Motivation tends to be high at the start but wanes over time. Success requires discipline and building habits, not just enthusiasm.

5. Neglecting Underlying Issues

Addressing symptoms rather than root causes (e.g., wanting to lose weight without addressing emotional eating) leads to short-term changes that are not sustainable.

6. Unrealistic Timelines

Expecting quick results can lead to disappointment and discouragement when progress is slower than anticipated.

7. Too Many Resolutions

Trying to tackle multiple resolutions at once dilutes focus and increases the likelihood of failure.

8. Lack of Accountability

Without someone or something to hold you accountable, it's easier to let resolutions slip.

9. Not Tracking Progress

If you don’t measure progress, it’s hard to stay motivated or make necessary adjustments.

10. All-or-Nothing Mentality

Viewing setbacks as failures rather than learning opportunities leads to giving up entirely after a slip-up.

11. External Pressure

Resolutions made to please others rather than reflecting personal desires or values lack intrinsic motivation.

12. Neglecting to Build Habits

Resolutions often require changes in behavior. Without a focus on habit formation, new actions don’t become automatic and are easily abandoned.


I'm sure I've experienced every one of these reasons at one time or another.


A few years ago my friend Burt Campbell, recommended a great book, Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything by BJ Fogg


Check it out here


Happy New Year.
Ted

Ted Prodromou

Join 60,000+ seasoned professionals who are done with the corporate world. Epic Encore is an almost daily newsletter with inspirational stories from leading experts. Your Epic Encore is about turning your lifetime experiences into the cornerstone of the rest of your life. It represents your audacious leap into entrepreneurship, fueled by the wisdom and tenacity you've garnered in your successful career. This isn't about playing catch-up in business and building a 7-figure business. It's about forging a unique path, using your distinct perspective, seasoned judgment, and invaluable insights that can only come from years of life experience.

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