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How to Set Goals That Last: Turning New Year Motivation Into Real Progress

  • Writer: Eiger
    Eiger
  • 4 minutes ago
  • 8 min read

As the year winds down, many of us start thinking about the changes we hope to make in the months ahead. Yet while January brings a surge of motivation, that momentum often fades fast. The good news? With a few simple, science-backed strategies, you can turn your resolutions into meaningful goals that last all year.


Person in an orange jacket stands on a rocky peak, overlooking a serene sunset mountain landscape in hues of blue and orange.

Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal Setting


  • Use SMART Goals for Clarity and Focus

    Set goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable steps, keeps you focused, and makes tracking progress easier.


  • Write Down and Share Your Goals

    Writing down goals increases success rates by up to 42 percent. Sharing them with an accountability partner boosts follow-through to as much as 95 percent.


  • Keep Goals Simple and Plan for Setbacks

    Choose 2–3 priorities at a time and keep them realistic. Expect obstacles and create a plan to reset and get back on track.


  • Celebrate Small Wins

    Recognizing milestones builds motivation and keeps you engaged. Try a “win jar” or other simple ways to mark progress.


  • Make Goal-Setting Enjoyable

    Turn the process into a fun ritual by working with a friend, using a goal-tracking app, or creating a vision board to stay inspired.


For many of us, December is a busy time of year, with holiday parties, work deadlines, and family commitments. It’s also a time when we often take stock of all that’s happened over the past 12 months, personally, professionally, and financially, and start thinking about what we want out of the coming year.


New Year's resolutions are as much a part of the season as the Times Square ball drop, and often just as fleeting. However, setting goals for ourselves is crucial and can serve as a catalyst for positive change, guiding us toward a better, more productive, and healthier path.


Goal setting can seem overwhelming; however, small, thoughtful steps you take now can set you up for a more successful year ahead, however you define success personally.


Why Do New Year's Goals Fail So Often?


According to Columbia University, nearly half of Americans make New Year's resolutions. And how do they do it? Not very well. A poll from Forbes Health found that most people give up on their goals in less than four months. The survey revealed that 8 percent reported their resolutions lasted only one month, 21.9 percent lasted two months, 22.2 percent lasted three months, and 13.1 percent abandoned their resolutions within four months. Only 1 percent said their New Year’s goals lasted 11 or 12 months.


There are many reasons why best intentions fail. Some goals are simply unrealistic, while others are either too complicated or not specific enough. One author noted that resolutions often fail because people never turn them into habits.


We don’t have all the answers, but we thought you might appreciate a few goal-setting ideas that have been helpful to us. We hope they inspire you, too.


What Is The Science Behind Crafting Goals That Stick?


While creating and pursuing goals may seem like common sense, there are scientific theories behind crafting effective goals and seeing them through. Psychologically, setting goals can enhance motivation and performance. Working toward goals can provide an intrinsic and fulfilling sense of progress and accomplishment. Tracking progress appeals to our psychological need for order, making accomplishments feel rewarding.


There is also empirical data around the subject of goals. Here are a few:


  • A study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that writing down goals, rather than simply thinking about them, increased the likelihood of success by 42 percent.


  • Sharing your goals with a friend can add accountability and increased follow-through: By telling someone you’re going to do something, you’re more likely to do it. Studies show that sharing your goals increases your chance of achieving them by up to 95 percent.


  • Setting goals that are challenging but achievable leads to 90 percent better performance.


What Are SMART Goals?


Life has a way of getting in the way of our best intentions. One way to help stick with your New Year’s resolutions is to make them SMART.


SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.


  • Specific. Be clear about your goals.

  • Measurable. Use numbers to measure your progress.

  • Achievable. Make goals that are realistic and attainable.

  • Relevant. Ensure your goals align with your values.

  • Time-bound. Set deadlines to create a sense of urgency.


SMART goals diagram with colored circles: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Source: HealthyHappyImpactful.com.

SMART goals can be your roadmap for the year, giving you a clear direction, milestones to monitor your progress, and a deadline to motivate you.


Why SMART Goals Can Work


Setting vague goals like “exercise more” is part of the reason so few of us have kept our resolutions for more than a few weeks or months after the start of the year. By contrast, setting SMART goals can provide:


  • Clarity: It takes the guesswork out of your goals. You know exactly what you want.


  • Motivation: Seeing progress toward your goals gives you more motivation to keep going.


  • Focus. Setting SMART goals, writing them down, and sharing them makes you more likely to stay focused and avoid distractions.


  • Realism: Setting challenging yet achievable goals makes you less likely to get discouraged.


  • Accountability: Deadlines and milestones help keep you honest with yourself and avoid procrastination.


Examples of SMART Goals


To make this more tangible, we’ve listed a few examples of goals following the SMART template.


  • Specific

Instead of a goal like, “I want to be healthier,” make it specific: “I want to lose 10 pounds over the next six months by exercising 30 minutes a day.”


  •  Measurable

“I want to increase my emergency fund” may be a worthwhile goal, but making it measurable may help you achieve it: “I will put $500 into my emergency fund each month so I have $6,000 by the end of the year.”


  •  Achievable

Don’t say “I want to write a book.” Instead, articulate achievable steps like “I will write 500 words a day for six months to complete a first draft of my book.”


  •  Relevant

There should be a solid reason behind your goal. “I’ve always wanted to learn Italian, so I’m going to do it this year,” isn’t a good enough reason. Saying “I want to learn Italian because I am going to spend a month touring Italy next year” is a much more relevant goal.


  • Time-bound

Rather than saying, “I want to read more books,” a time-bound goal would be: “I will read one book per month for the next six months.”


Tips for Setting (and Keeping) Goals


Here are a few tips that may help you set and keep your goals.


  • Keep Your List Small: Start with 2–3 priorities rather than 10 resolutions. You can always add goals later in the year.


  • Account for Obstacles: Expect slip-ups and create a reset strategy. That way, if you skip a week, you can get right back on track.


  • Make Your Goals Visible: Keep your goals front and center throughout the year. Use a calendar, habit tracker app, or even notes on the fridge.


  • Celebrate Progress: Make sure you acknowledge your victories. Even small wins can help keep motivation up, so reward yourself for milestones.


Ways to Make Goal Setting Fun


Eighty percent of people do not set goals for themselves. It may be because they don’t see the value or think it is too difficult.


Two blue figures among eight red ones; text: "Only 2 out of 10 people set goals for themselves." Source at bottom.

Goals may be valuable because they can change the way we view the world. People who consistently set goals tend to view the world more positively and view challenges or even failures as temporary setbacks rather than personal deficiencies or character flaws.


If you don’t set goals because you think of it as an annual chore, it doesn’t have to be. We’ve put together a few ideas that may make the process more enjoyable.


  • Turn It Into a Ritual: You can make goal-setting an annual ritual. Choose a cozy spot, bring along a favorite treat, and put on some music. Do whatever you can to make the practice something you look forward to.


A person writes in a notebook while holding a steaming mug by a cozy fireplace. A lit candle and open book sit on a small table.

  • Do It with a Buddy: Goal-setting doesn’t need to be a solo activity. An “accountability buddy” is a colleague, friend, or family member who supports you in crafting your goals and then being there to help you achieve your desired outcomes, keep to your commitments, and sustain progress. Your buddy is there to celebrate your wins, offer a fresh perspective on challenges, and remind you why you started in the first place. They can also make the whole process more fun.


  • Gamify It: Another way to make goals more fun is to use technology. You can use apps that track progress, set reminders for deadlines, and reward streaks. Gamification is a recent name for an old concept. Like collecting gold stars in kindergarten, gamification makes achieving goals fun. Think fitness trackers that turn your workout into a competition or language learning apps that reward you for mastering new vocabulary. Gamification can transform mundane tasks into engaging challenges, making it easier to stay motivated and accomplish tasks. It can also help you break negative patterns by replacing them with positive, rewarding behaviors while pushing you to achieve goals you didn’t think possible. Visualizing your progress and earning rewards can keep you engaged and motivated.


Person interacting with a smartwatch displaying activity stats and heart rate. Finger taps screen. Background shows a blurred laptop.

  • Use a “Wins Jar:” Creating a “wins jar” where you drop in notes about accomplishments is a great way to celebrate your small wins throughout the year. Seeing your win jar accumulate over time can bring you self-satisfaction. It can also be a great self-esteem booster on those days when you feel like you aren’t making enough progress toward your goal.

 

Colorful paper notes in a jar on a white surface. Rolled scrolls tied with twine are scattered around. Bright and organized scene.

  • Create a Vision Board: Building a vision board is a creative and effective way to visualize your goals. Here are some steps to create a vision board that reflects your aspirations: Your board can include a variety of materials such as magazines, newspapers, pictures, quotes, and any other items that represent your goals. Your vision board should be an inspiring representation of what you want to achieve. Place it somewhere where it can serve as a daily reminder of your goals. It’s a fun activity that has a serious motivational purpose.

 

A corkboard collage with photos of happy people, travel, and beach scenes. Text snippets: "Inner Harmony," "Save Money," "Yoga," "Family," "Travel."

Taking Time for Yourself This December


Entering 2026 with focused goals can create a winning environment for the upcoming year. The science of goal setting indicates that specific, challenging goals lead to higher performance. Strategies like SMART goals can help you craft flexible, manageable, and achievable goals. You can also download plenty of tools, books, and printable goal-setting worksheets. Leveraging what’s out there can keep you focused.


It’s a busy time of year, but taking time during the holidays to think about personal or professional improvement is among the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Make it enjoyable, and remember, your goals don’t have to be perfect; they just need to be yours.


Here’s to wishing you and your loved ones an amazing 2026!

 

Sources:


The information contained on this site may not reflect current developments; does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice; and should not be relied upon for such purposes. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. We make no representation about the accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for any given situation. This information is not an offering. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
 
 
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