7 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Setting Their New Year’s Resolutions | by James Antoine | Jan, 2025

The start of a new year brings a sense of renewal, motivation, and the irresistible urge to set ambitious resolutions. Yet, despite good intentions, many people find themselves abandoning their goals by February. Why? It’s often because of common pitfalls that sabotage progress before it even begins. Here are the seven mistakes everyone makes when setting their New Year’s resolutions — and how to avoid them.

1. Setting Unrealistic Goals

It’s tempting to aim high and dream big when setting resolutions, but goals that are too ambitious often lead to burnout and frustration. For example, deciding to lose 50 pounds in three months or committing to work out every single day might not be feasible.

Solution: Break large goals into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of “I’ll lose 50 pounds,” aim for “I’ll lose 5 pounds a month.” This makes progress feel achievable and sustainable.

2. Being Vague About Your Goals

“I want to get healthy” or “I’ll save money” are common resolutions, but they’re too broad to be actionable. Without specificity, it’s hard to measure success or stay motivated.

Solution: Use the SMART goal framework — make your goals Specific, Measurable…