5 Ways to Quit Quitting in the New Year

I recently saw an ad that asked us to consider that instead of quitting our New Year’s resolutions, we should quit quitting. It stopped me in my tracks. Resolutions are so complexly intertwined with human behavior and seasonal factors that it seems like a very simplistic solution. But it also had me thinking: Is there a way to quit quitting? Or is there a more positive approach to keeping more resolutions?

It’s no secret that the majority of New Year’s resolutions don’t last through the year. In fact, most don’t make it past the second week of January. It’s a sad reality that many of us enter each calendar year with ambitious goals and lofty ideas, but reality quickly squashes them.

I started thinking about how we can fight those trends, how we could quit quitting. One theory is that the resolution itself isn’t what’s doomed to fail, but rather the plan (or lack thereof). Here are some ideas you can apply to your resolutions, even if your motivation is already slipping.

1. Really think about your why. Instead of focusing on the act — “run three miles a day” or “save more money” — consider diving a little deeper into why these are your resolutions. Maybe you want to run a half marathon or have a certain amount saved by the end of the year. A more tangible end goal might help you stick to the day-to-day aspect of your resolution.
2. Have a plan. Running three miles a day is a great goal, but it takes time and planning to fit into your life. Try writing it down and mapping out a weekly plan to accomplish your goal one day at a time.
3. Start with just one thing. You might feel motivated to overhaul an aspect of your life completely but leave room for reality. Change is hard, and it’s unlikely you’ll make a complete 180 to what you’ve always done. If your goal is to save more money, consider starting this year by committing to setting $100 a month aside. Next year, you can increase the amount and start investing.
4. Add rather than subtract. Instead of a resolution like “stop doom-scrolling,” consider a more additive resolution like “read more books.” Hopefully, your time on the bad habit will naturally be replaced with the good one, and you won’t feel like you’re losing anything of value.
5. Try, try again. The honest truth is that change is hard, and resolutions are tough to keep. But, if you feel your resolve slipping, you can always adapt your goal and/or your methods to adjust to your current situation.

I love the new year for all our optimism and ambition to change; it inspires me. I think it’s only natural that we don’t all succeed in keeping our resolutions, but I hope that you’ll use these tips as a way to quit quitting this year.

As we go into 2025, feel free to reach out to discuss your resolutions, especially if they’re focused on your financial plan. Any time of the year, our team is here to help you navigate your path.