Consciousness must shift before behavior can change

Einstein famously said, “We cannot solve a problem on the level of consciousness that created it.” 

Consider someone stuck in a job they hate, repeating the pattern across multiple organizations and roles, for numerous years. At year-end, they vow, “Next year, I’ll find a job I love with a great boss.” That is a powerful and important goal but it is unlikely to succeed unless they address any potential underlying patterns and mindsets that might contribute to repeatedly landing in toxic environments.

Many people facing chronic mistreatment at work, for instance, experienced similar dynamics growing up, often in families where boundaries were not honored. Without recognizing and addressing underlying challenges and doing the work to strengthen them, people may unconsciously and repeatedly gravitate toward the same damaging situations. True change starts with self-awareness and eliminating confidence gaps that block us from achieving what we most want. 

So, when the clock strikes midnight signaling the start of a new year, many adults will have committed themselves to resolution. 

The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back more than 4,000 years to ancient Babylonians, who made promises to their gods to repay debts or return borrowed items. They also sought divine favor for the 12-day Akitu festival, (an ancient Mesopotamian spring New Year celebration, lasting approximately 12 days in March/April, marking nature’s rebirth, sowing of barley, and the reestablishment of divine order).

Today, New Year’s resolutions do not involve the plea for better crops in exchange for a sacrifice at the altar of an ancient god. No, we make promises to ourselves and commit, if only for a day, a week, or a month, to better eating habits or smarter financial choices.  

So, why the abysmal failure of New Year’s resolutions when we stand everything to gain from their execution? 

1. Too big NOT to fail – overhauling your life all at once instead of taking small, manageable steps. We’ve all made these kinds of resolutions, committing to going to the gym everyday when you have never had a gym membership or packing it all in and finally moving to Timbuktu.
2. For all of you keeping your New Year’s resolutions to yourselves and waiting to showcase your changes, you’re doing it wrong! No accountability structure leads to failure.
3. Vague and immeasurable goals – while making more money or getting a new job are good New Year’s resolutions, they lack specificity. How much money do you want to make? What career path most interests you? Making resolutions specific makes us more likely to accomplish them.
4. Not knowing what you want – let’s face it, getting up earlier to exercise, working longer hours, or moving to a new place can be overwhelming. Why do you want the things you want?
5. Lack of planning – you want to eat healthier, what does that look like? Will you be meal prepping? Are you going to cook everyday when you get home from work?

The importance of realistic planning for the success of your New year’s resolutions cannot be overstated.  

Most Commonly Broken Resolutions:

1. Lose Weight & Exercise More: A perennial favorite, often abandoned due to difficulty, lack of time, or unrealistic goals.
2. Eat Healthier/Diet: Similar to fitness, this is a common goal that falters with daily temptations.
3. Save Money/Get Out of Debt: Financial goals are difficult to maintain when faced with immediate expenses or lifestyle inflation.
4. Quit Smoking: An addiction-based goal, it’s notoriously hard to break, with high failure rates.
5. Learn Something New: Often fails from a lack of consistent time or a clear path to learning.
6. Spend More Time with Family & Friends: A great intention, but busy schedules often get in the way.
7. Travel to New Places: Aspirational, but often derailed by cost and planning.
8. Be Less Stressed/Get More Sleep: Mental wellness goals are abstract and hard to measure progress on.
9. Volunteer More: Good intentions sometimes get lost in the effort required to find opportunities and commit time.
10. Drink Less Alcohol: A common habit change that can be difficult to moderate consistently. 

Resolutions often focus on what to stop doing, rather than what positive things to append. So, this year try something different:

Set Goals, Not Resolutions – this year make a goal or two instead. Change “I’m going to lose 10 pounds.” to “I will replace one dessert a day with a serving of fruit.”

Be Additive, Not Subtractive – Add a serving of vegetables to dinner 4 days a week. Add 300 steps a day. Add a glass of water before every meal. If you really want to go big, add an hour of sleep!

Do Something Different – If resolving to go to the gym each year has resulted in an unused gym membership after January 17th, (statistically the day most resolutions fail), maybe try a new fitness, martial arts, or dance class instead.

Double Down – Making a change is easier with someone to lean on, hold you accountable, and share the struggles and triumphs. With a partner, you won’t feel isolated during that crucial first month, and you’ll feel empowered by helping someone else when they’re having a tough time.

No Excuses, Just Stay Home – Eliminate the no-money-for-a-pricey-gym-membership excuse and start an exercise plan you can do at home. Many options use minimal equipment or common household alternatives like towels, eliminating the need for expensive gym accessories.

Good Luck in ‘26 … NOW GO GET ERRR DONE! 

Did You Know? Most people don’t keep their New Year’s resolutions, with only about 9% succeeding for the whole year, as many give up in the first few weeks, (23% by the first week, 64% by the first month), though some studies show higher success rates for those who stay committed. The average resolution lasts less than four months, but with better strategies, people can improve their chances.