Why I Don't Do New Year's Resolutions
Why I Don't Do New Years Resolutions
And Do This Instead...
Every January, it starts again.
Excitement. Big declarations. Long lists. Fresh planners (I recommend the BIG A$$ one). High hopes.
And then… quietly…
Most of it fades.
That’s why I don’t do New Year’s resolutions anymore.
Not because I don’t believe in growth. Not because I don’t set goals. And definitely not because I lack discipline or ambition.
But after years of watching the pattern - personally and professionally -I’ve learned something important:
Resolutions don’t really work. And the issue isn’t the desire to change - it’s how we structure change.
3 Reasons I’ve Stopped Setting New Year’s Resolutions
1️⃣ Resolutions Create Overwhelm. Intentions Create Focus.
Most resolutions fail because they turn into an overwhelmingly long laundry list of things we should do differently:
Eat better. Exercise more. Work harder. Be more consistent. Make more money. Fix everything... all at once!
Without being specific, realistic or measurable, even the best intentions become overwhelming.
And the data backs this up:
About 23% of people quit in the first week
By the end of January, up to 64% have given up
Nearly half quit by February
Long term, only 6–9% actually sustain their goals
The second Friday in January has actually been coined, “Quitters Day.”
This isn’t a motivation problem - it’s a design problem.
Instead of creating long laundry lists that feels like drudgery and never goes anywhere, I choose intention. It brings joy, inspiration and motivation. It is simple - not complicated!
2️⃣ Resolutions Focus on External Outcomes. Intention Begins Internally.
Resolutions ask what you want to achieve. Intention goes deeper and asks who you want to become.
Resolutions are usually outcome-driven: Lose the weight. Hit the revenue number. Post consistently. Finally “get it all together.”
And yes - those things matter.
But lasting change doesn’t come from chasing outcomes or creating longer lists. It comes from clarity, alignment, and specific, sustainable actions that move you forward - especially in midlife.
That’s why I choose a word or phrase each year instead.
It doesn’t have to be perfect.
It can evolve.
What matters is that it’s deeply personal.
When the right word arrives, you feel it - not just in your head, but in your body. You say, “YES. That’s it.”
For me, it always lands like gold: solid, warm, and unmistakably right.
When choosing your word, ask yourself:
Does this belong in my life right now?
Does this support who I’m becoming?
Does this align with how I want to live and lead this year?
Does this empower me and call me forward?
3️⃣ Resolutions Don’t Leave Room for Real Life. Intentions Do.
Life doesn’t reset on January 1st.
Resolutions tend to break the moment life gets messy.
Intentions, on the other hand, expand and grow with us. They shift with energy, adapt with seasons, and flex with who we are becoming.
They ground us. They guide us. They become something we return to - not something we abandon when we fall off track.
For me, a word of intention acts like a compass, a roadmap, and a theme for the year. It guides my focus and decision in life, business, relationships, and time without pressure or guilt.
I often ask does this align with my goal, focus and word for the year?
Use your word of intention as your guide.
Plan for progress, not perfection.
Create a plan that allows flexibility and growth not burnout or overwhelm.
Keep it simple. It might look like pausing.
Take a moment to look back at the year - where you have been, what you have done, and celeberate what worked and change what didn't. Celebrate it all.
Then look ahead with your calendar. Choose what truly matters first with the big rocks (family time, vacations, launches, masterclasses, or courses).
Then fill in the rest. Make sure you create empty space too!
Decide what days you will and won’t work, especially if you’re an entrepreneur or coach.
Dan Sullivan, founder of Strategic Coach, teaches a simple but powerful approach to time management using Free Days, Focus Days, and Buffer Days. My husband and I have used this system for years, and it’s been incredibly grounding and effective to manage time. We aren't perfect with it but it is a great roadmap!
You can learn more about how that system works here.
If you’ve already felt the pressure of “starting strong” this year, how does it feel to reframe and choose INTENTION over RESOLUTION instead?
If you are a midlife woman, looking for a quieter space to be intentional and grow this year, come join the Redlo Women Circle. I would love to connect and grow with you! This is a paid community with a Founding Member price in January only!
CLICK HERE to learn more about the REDLO Women Cirlce Community
Keep stepping forward. Make this your best year yet.
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