How do you set the right New Year’s Resolution? What makes it a good New Year’s resolution?
Should you “get fit” and “be healthier” like everyone else tries to?
Is this the year you finally quit the 9 to 5 and start your own business?
Or maybe you should be more adventurous, and put yourself out there more?
Seeing how 2023 went, maybe you’ll just aim for being happy and healthy in the new year.
Let’s not make the mistakes you made the years before, don’t make the resolution everyone else is making.
Forget about what you think you should be doing to change your life, and figure out what you need to do to live YOUR best life – not societies, not your families, not a life that impresses friends or social media followers.
This is the year you finally deal with that thing that’s been irking you for ages. The thing that keeps you up at night? Or take steps to achieve the goals you daydream of every day?
This is your year, right? The year that changes it all for you. Maybe or maybe not.
It can all start off great for you in 2024 if you choose the right resolution, this is a great way to prepare for the new year.
What’s a New Year’s Resolution Anyways?
We certainly love wish-making, promising to do better next year, and making lists, New Year’s is no exception to human behavior.
The origin of New Year’s Resolutions traces all the way back to over 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylon. During the festival of Akitu, the Babylonians would make pledges of good deeds to the gods in return for their favor.
And yes, we make these promises to ourselves, and maybe even some of us to the universe.
Sure, things have changed a bit, and today resolutions are more about self-improvement and being a better person.
That’s one way to view New Year’s Resolutions, allow me to offer another.
Make a Resolution That Resolves
But, when I think about resolutions more generally, I see in my mind the resolution of a great battle. I think about the resolutions that were signed on the battlefields of history. The signing of an agreement that ushered in a reign of peace and ended a great conflict.
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Okay so, what does this have to do with you?
You fight battles in your life every single day. From the battles with your body, your mind, your spirit, your emotions, your finances, and the many other aspects of your life.
There’s usually one great battle at a time. One defining pain or problem that consumes you.
What’s the great battle you face right now? What are you torn up about?
Is there a dream that you have that you just haven’t realized?
A resolution resolves, usually a great conflict. What’s yours?
Your New Year’s resolution should resolve your greatest conflict. The thing that’s holding you back from moving forward in life.
Resolve Your Biggest Problem in the New Year
What’s your greatest conflict?
Where’s your greatest pain or problem?
Not just what hurts, but what’s the thing that you carry with you, that you avoid or you go around instead of facing?
We all have something, something we hide from, something we procrastinate facing. Do you need to face your fears?
It’s usually the thing you hate talking about and wish no one would ask you about. (You just thought of it, yes that thing!)
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You know, that thing you know but pretend you don’t. That thing you ignore. That thing your gut scream or maybe just whisper to you about.
We all have something like this in our lives.
Still not sure what it is?
Ask yourself:
- What keeps you up at night?
- What’s your biggest challenge?
- Do you complain about one thing?
- What do you Google constantly about?
- Do you ask for advice about something?
- What would you change about your life?
- What’s making you deeply unhappy?
Pursue Your Dream Life in the New Year
I know from my own experience that my greatest pain was not following my dream. This was a source of great personal conflict in my 9-5 life.
What’s your dream? What goals do you want to achieve?
Are you in conflict with yourself for not pursuing it?
Perhaps, you are disappointed that you haven’t gotten started and taken action.
Denying myself a creative lifestyle that allowed me to be me was the number one issue I needed to resolve.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 47 Experts Share How to Achieve Your Goals This Year
Ask yourself:
- What do you dream of doing?
- If money wasn’t an issue, what would you be doing?
- What dream do you wish would come true?
- Where do you dream of doing?
- Who do you dream of being?
- What can you do this year to get closer to that dream life?
Bye Bye Generic Genie
Forget what society or anyone else tells you that your resolution should be.
It should be personal to you, not some generic choice on the prescribed life checklist.
You are most likely to resolve your great conflict than to do something superficial that doesn’t actually have meaning to you.
“Getting fit” is the easiest example of a New Year’s fitness goal and one I can relate to. Everyone floods the gym first quarter and gets washed out by spring. Why is that?
Were they trying to be who they were told they should be (or look like they think they should because that’s what they need), rather than finding their own resolution?
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I’m totally guilty of this, I kept my gym membership for years when I knew all along I wasn’t the gym type. I worked out, I did personal training seasons because I thought that’s what I should be doing. And when I wasn’t feeling healthy at all I tried even harder.
I suffered from low energy, stomach pain, and joint pain for like 3 or 4 years. I just never felt awake, but I still persisted that it was a fitness issue. Everyone said it was a lack of exercise!
There are so many possible unique New Year’s resolution ideas to choose from, don’t be generic!
Find the Right Re-solution
But, “getting fit” wasn’t my solution. I was focusing on the wrong resolution.
My problem wasn’t that I wasn’t getting enough exercise, my problem was that I had a gluten allergy that was messing with my body. Instead of trying and failing to work it away, I started to pay attention to my body and diagnosed my allergy. (Something multiple doctors failed to do).
I’ve never felt better and no gym membership is required. I may not be “fit,” or have rock-hard abs, but I’m living a healthy lifestyle – for me!
It was never about the weight, but all about feeling alive again. For the longest time, I just didn’t feel like it!
I know this is a unique story, but swap the gym for whatever you’ve tried to resolve your greatest conflict with and it’s the same story.
Here’s another personal example, I wanted to feel fulfilled and have a career I was really proud of, so I quit my job for another job, and guess what that wasn’t it either. It was the 9-5, any full-time job with a long commute, but it took years to accept that I wanted to escape the 9 to 5.
Sometimes part of the resolution is committing to just finding a solution that works for you. Sometimes part of the resolution is accepting the solution you know you need.
Don’t be afraid to try anything and everything and to stop when it isn’t working. Just remember to pick up something else when you drop the wrong one.
Don’t get frustrated or fatigued when you fall short or fail, just try another way to bring resolution.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Take Action When You Can’t Get Started
Not About Making 3 Wishes
“Oh sweet New Year, bring me fortune, bring me this, bring me that.”
If we’re being accurate, the most common New Year’s Resolution is “Dear 2024, help me lose weight, enjoy life to the fullest, and make more money.”
Yeah okay. Sounds a bit ridiculous, but how often do you approach your resolutions with this diluted babble?
I’m totally guilty of this too. As if the calendar flipping over will somehow bring some mystical resolution of my life’s pains or the great conflict in my life? Or perhaps just wipe the slate clean for me.
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“If only it was the next year already, surely then I’ll make it.”
Maybe we’re all still praying for something? Pledging to this magical change of the year?
A resolution is not a sentimental wish you make at midnight.
Be serious, not sentimental.
This is not a wish.
You’re going to have to make it happen, so make it doable.
Make it meaningful. You’ll need that meaning to motivate you.
5 Tips for Choosing the RIGHT Resolution:
Do you have a New Year’s Resolution idea in mind?
Great, let’s put it to the test, here are 5 ways to make sure it’s the right New Year’s Resolution for you.
The RIGHT Resolution should:
- Resolve
- Intuitive
- Genuine
- Hopeful
- Transformative
#1: Make Sure It Resolves:
Does your New Year’s Resolution address your greatest challenge?
What’s your biggest “pain,” struggle, or challenge right now?
Does your resolution resolve it? If not, then why is this your resolution?
This is where you’re allowed to get sentimental and find the source of your motivation, and your “why”! Capture this feeling when writing your New Year’s Resolution. It should be something you simply can’t ignore and are relieved to admit, as well as commit to.
#2. It Needs to be Intuitive:
Is your New Year’s Resolution a “good fit” for you and your abilities?
List three intuitive or instinctive ways you can achieve your resolution.
What comes “naturally” to you? What are your strengths (and weaknesses)?
In order to be successful, you shouldn’t have to reinvent yourself or acquire an entirely new complicated set of skills, credentials, or whatever else in order to achieve your resolution. It’s just too much to ask of yourself.
You should, however, be able to play to your superpower, and what makes you authentically you.
#3. Being Authentic and Genuine:
Is this New Year’s Resolution for you? Are you being authentic?
Is your resolution actually you? Or is it a resolution you’ve been told you should have, or do you feel pressure to achieve?
Or, is it your family, friends, spouse, society, or culture? Is it what you really want or desire?
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Are you being authentic and honest with yourself?
Once again, you are the one who is going to have to create new habits, set goals, and even take action to achieve your new year’s goal, so it needs to be you!
#4. Be Hopeful and Positive
Is the emotional sentiment of your New Year’s Resolution hopeful and positive?
What emotional place was this resolution set from?
Hope and healing, or fear and doubt? Do you feel worthy?
When you think about your New Year’s resolution, either having to work towards it and then finally achieving it, what do you feel? Your resolution should be hopeful.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: 6 Steps to Staying Positive No Matter What Happens
#5. Should Be Transformative
Is the process of achieving your New Year’s Resolution transformative to you? How?
Think about it, does your resolution feel transformative or transactional?
Remember, keeping your resolution is just as much, if not more, about the process (the actual doing), than the outcome.
Does it promote your personal growth and metamorphosis as a person? Think of three ways your New Year’s Resolution transforms you.
What Should My New Year’s Resolution Be?
Need help choosing the right New Year’s Resolution for 2024? Sometimes it’s hard to know what to decide.
Take the quiz and discover what area of your life you should focus on, plus get unique New Year’s Resolution ideas just for you.
Did you make the right New Year's Resolution? Click here to take the FREE quiz New Year's Resolution Quiz to find out now. #NewYears #NewYears2024 #HappyNewYear #NewYearsResolutionsWhat New Year’s Resolution is right for you?
Last Updated on December 15, 2023
Tracy Lynn | Simplelivingcountrygal.com says
I just loved reading this! Your quiz was so eye-opening and a completely different type of resolution came to the surface. I really like how you call it re-solution. That after all is what we are looking for isn’t it? A new way to do something because the old way just isn’t cutting it.
Thanks for sharing a unique and very eye-opening viewpoint!
Nadalie says
Yay Tracy!
Thanks so much for taking the quiz, so glad you found it useful. *happy clap*
It really is. With every new year, we just want that big thing that made the last suck to get better. But, how many of us choose resolutions that address it? Or like you said, just continue doing things the old way, and hoping (not doing) for better results.
So easy to get pulled into the generic resolutions that everyone’s making.
Thanks for stopping by.
Fatama says
People make their resolution so big, bigger then they can handle. The beauty of resolution lies on small thing and small steps.
Nadalie you are right- resolution is finding a solution for something.
By the way, I also made getting FIT resolution. 🙂 guilty. Nice Read. Speaks of ones’s insight.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hi Fatama,
I so agree with you! It’s like we think we can completely reinvent ourselves in 12 months. So not possible, even the most dedicated of us will struggle at this.
Haha, I think we all do that too. Myself included going to do my best to sit at my desk LESS and move MORE.
Tomi C says
I typically don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I I like your thinking behind making it more of practical, well thought out, REAL LIFE resolution rather than some unrealistic dream. A goal of sorts. Something requiring thought and a plan of action. Here’s to a year filled with prosperity.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Tomi,
Honestly, neither do I. I’m more of a yearly goal kind of girl. But, I also realize it’s not what you call it, it’s whether or not you do it. Executing that very real world action plan makes all the difference.
NYC Single Mom says
such an interesting twist on developing your new years resolution!! I am going to have to see if I can follow through which is my issue every year.
Nadalie Bardo says
You got this! Just break it down into practical steps that you can follow all year long. Then, almost like magic, if you work the steps before you know it you’re almost there.
Ali || Veggies by Candlelight says
I love that you call it re-solution! I’ve never thought of it the way you are re-thinking it! It’s so different and I can’t wait to take your quiz! None of my resolutions have worked so I’ll be using that to help me in 2018!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Ali,
Enjoy the quiz and the New Year’s Resolution ideas. I find the key is choosing correctly and thinking R-I-G-H-T has helped me! You got this!
Censie Sawyer says
My biggest suggestion for a New Years Resolution is to make them achievable. No matter what you choose, go for something isnt pie in the sky. Also, stay away from LOSING WEIGHT – go for healthier living. I love the New Year, time for new beginnings
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Censie,
That’s exactly it, goal, intention or resolution, it just needs to be realistic and achievable. Love how you flipped that classic New Year Resolution idea for a better one.
Bring on the new beginning!
Lisa says
I do make New Resolutions but, I have failed many times in making them all because I think I just put to much into them. This year I want to gradually go into them slowly no matter how long it may take me. I feel this would be a better way for me to fulfill each resolution. Getting more healthy is definitely one!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Lisa,
I think you’re right! Taking your time and pacing yourself is a great approach to keeping your New Year’s resolution. It’s so easy to get burnt out when you go all crazy intense from January 1.
Happy New Year,
Nadalie
Jeanine says
I haven’t made New Years resolutions in many years. I find I never follow them so why bother? This year however I could use some extra structure in my life so I think I may try!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Jeanine,
Perhaps you will decide to make a New Year’s Resolution this year! I think it’s a great way to start your goal setting for 2018, granted you take your resolution and make it actionable.
Happy New Year!
Kristi C McAllister says
I don’t really make New Year resolutions anymore as I’ve often found that I’m only enamored with them for about two weeks! LOL! Instead, I try to make mini goals that will benefit me for the entire year. Your post, though, really was a lot of food for thought for me!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Kristi,
Totally, I’ve been there too! You’re super into your New Year’s resolution for a bit and swiftly get over it. That’s a great approach, I think we can do both. Set “mini” goals for our resolution so we can make them happen. =)
Sandra says
This article is everything! I hate seeing people stuck in a vicious circle and make stupid resolutions and then do nothing about it because the resolution was unreasonably unrealistic. Resolutions are all about finding your pain points in life and then putting a solution together. Great job!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Sandra,
So glad you enjoyed it! Me too! Myself included, it’s so tempting to set “stupid” resolutions as you put it and get swept up and not actually get anywhere.
Cheers to finding solutions in 2018!
Tasheena @ SimplyTasheena.com says
I love the idea of making sure that your New Years resolution tackles your biggest challenge. It’s so easy to have resolutions fall by the waste side mid year.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Tasheena,
Isn’t it a great way to go about it! Let’s not waste any of the excitement and willingness to make changes in our lives on resolutions that don’t matter to us.
Here’s to making right resolutions instead.
Deimarys says
These are very helpful tips. I haven’t even started with my new year’s resolutions. These definitely got me a little bit motivated.
Nadalie Bardo says
Well yay for a little bit of motivation!
Blair villanueva says
I dont know yet what will be my New Year’s resolution, but I am thankful for all the blessings I’ve received this year. I’m excited to kiss and embrace 2018.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Blair,
I love that – it’s all about starting with gratefulness for all we’ve received and accomplished in 2017. I feel the same way! I’m excited to meet 2018.
Kelly Reci says
I don’t usually make my New Year’s resolution because I don’t want to feel bad when I am not able to achieve them. I just want to be positive through out the year and do whatever I want to grow , to be successful and to be a better person.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Kelly,
I feel ya with that one. Not meeting your new year’s resolution or giving up in a few weeks or months can be sooo discouraging. That could be a wonderful resolution too! Being positive and growing in 2018, sounds like a great new year’s resolution idea to me.
Carol Cassara says
It would be really amazing to be able to overcome that conflict you’ve been facing for a long time. It’s a great idea for a new year’s resolution. I think these are really good tips!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Carol,
Wouldn’t it? I find we can face or be stopped by the same challenge year in year out because we’re just unwilling to deal with it once and for all.
Elizabeth O says
Those are some great tips to make the right new years resolution. I am not a kind of person of setting up my goals nor planning my resolution every year. But I think I need to try this now. I will definitely check this out.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Elizabeth,
You should so try to set a New Year’s Resolution and goals for 2018. I find that even by just trying and directing our energies into an outcome only good things can happen. Even if we fail or fall short, we accomplish something!
Adriana Lopez says
In my opinion resolutions are about to have goals that are realistic and achievable. I have to be honest I do not make New Years resolutions I just place goals for myself regularly
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Adriana,
I’m of the same mind as you, keeping our goals realistic and achievable in the new year is everything. That’s a great practice, I’m all for setting goals regularly throughout the year.
Happy New Year!
Ana Ojha says
I don’t make audacious goals for my new year resolution but something which is achievable over a short period of time. Sometimes having an indefinite goal gives you a lot of pressure. Therefore make only SMART goals that can be achieved within a time frame!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Ana,
Great advice for 2018! SMART goals are a great place to start. I’m all for resolutions as long as they have sound goals to back them up.
Dawn McAlexander says
I think that I might not choose any New Year’s Resolutions this year. I am just so bad at sticking with them.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Dawn,
I know that feeling. Who wants to fail!? Perhaps some well-planned goals for your 2018 instead?
Anosa says
New Years resolutions can be so tricky, and hard to stick to. This new year I am setting myself something easy that I won’t beat myself up over
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Anosa,
New Year’s Resolutions sure can be tricky to stick! I hope you can find an easy yet somewhat challenging goal for 2018. Sometimes having a challenge is nice!
Anosa says
I am notorious for refusing to set new year’s resolutions and maybe its because I don’t view them the right way. I prefer setting goals but I did love this article. Given me a great perspective
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Anosa,
Goals for sure! … well personally I think it’s not what you call them, but how you approach them. Resolutions or goals, as long as we make them achievable then it’s all good.
LavandaMichelle says
These are great tips. My favorite is follow your dreams because I never include my dreams in my resolutions.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Lavandra,
We sooo should include our dreams in our resolutions! Imagine who motivated we’d be to achieve them!
Happy New Year!
Angel says
I am super excited for 2018! I have big plans for my business, but trying to keep my goals realistic, too. I want to do it all, right now…just a wee-bit impulsive!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Angel,
Me too! I cannot wait! Yay for big, yet realistic plans. I feel you, I so want to do it all too, but learning to plan for less so I can actually get it all done.
john T Newell says
I resolved that no pending works to be carried to the next day. And I added a VA from Habiliss to make sure this is done. Its good so far.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey, John! I love that, just focusing on getting it done!
I’ll have to check that out, I really need a VA in my life.
Gabrielle tasch says
I love your blog sososo much!! Your so positive and that’s so great, love it. Also super inspirational, it’s actually amazing. Xxx
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Gabrielle,
Aww, thanks lovely! That really means a lot. <3
Emily says
Totally agree with taking a different approach to resolutions! I like to use core desired feelings to describe mine. Great post!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Emily! That’s such an elegant way of saying it, “core desired feelings.” I like it!
Jen @ JENRON DESIGNS says
We always set goals verse making a resolution, that way it seems less likely to fail, LOL!
It's All You Boo says
Hi Jen,
Fun and really fail proof! Thanks for going through this post on how to make the right new years resolution.
Anna Elle Liz says
Having goals that are attainable are so important as you mentioned. It’s great to dream but setting goals that are too far-fetched or don’t have some structure can leave you feeling disappointed.
It's All You Boo says
Hi Anna,
Exactly! It’s better to break them down into smaller achievable goals!
Amber Myers says
I rarely make resolutions since they don’t always work out in the end. I have small goals but if I don’t meet them, it’s okay! I’m more excited to start a fresh year!
It's All You Boo says
Hi Amber,
Looking forward for the new year as well! Fresh start! Thanks for going through this how to make the right new years resolution post.
Megan says
I love the idea of focusing on overcoming your greatest challenge. And WOW I did not realize resolutions came from 4,000 years ago!
It's All You Boo says
Hi Megan,
Yep! That long ago and up until now people still practice this! Thanks for stopping by how to make the right new years resolution post!
Nicz Escat says
There’s a time where I didn’t accomplished my new years resolution and it makes me feel sad. That’s why this year 2021 I didn’t make any resolutions yet.
It's All You Boo says
Hi Nicz,
Awww… I’m sorry to hear about that. Maybe you get some tips here on how to make the right new years resolution.
Mimi says
Such an interesting take on NY resolution, I’ll have to work on mine now
It's All You Boo says
Hi Mimi,
I’m glad you like this how to make the right new years resolution post. Go make one and apply the tips you get from here.