Originally published by Karen on December 30, 2022.

Are you thinking about setting some New Year’s Resolutions? Keep these 3 things in mind.

1.            Resolution comes from the word “resolve.” They are not “Intentions.”

2.            Resolutions will fail nearly 100% of the time without a plan.

3.            Measuring your progress is an integral part of achieving your resolutions.

I have seen no less than three articles in the last two weeks that substituted the word resolutions with intentions. And some argue for using intentions instead of resolutions. But they are very different when it comes to setting goals – especially for your fitness. Intentions are a more broad sense of what you want. More vague. I intend to get stronger. Resolutions, in the case of New Year’s resolutions, are a promise to yourself. You resolve to do this thing. I will get stronger. In my opinion, they cannot be interchanged. And neither will become your reality without a plan.

A successful plan will have goals – both short-term and long-term. Small steps that you resolutely follow to lead you to your desired outcome. There will be many ways to get to your goal, but if you set small, realistic steps, checking your progress along the way, you will likely be successful.

Anywhere from 52% TO 80% of New Year’s Resolutions will fail, depending on which study you read. Those who write down their goals, the steps they will take to complete them, and set target dates are significantly (around 42%) more likely to achieve their goals.

Take the time to do the work. If you are going to set some New Year’s resolutions, put some thought into how you will get there. If you structure how you will do it, you will keep those resolutions and achieve the promises behind them.

Happy New Year!