How to embrace the resolutions 'preseason'

A mindset that can set you up for success in the new year

Lots of people set New Year’s resolutions — about 30 percent of American adults, according to an early 2024 survey. However, if you believe the literature, most people don’t wind up sticking with their New Year’s resolutions long term.

There are lots of reasons for this, but I think a key one is that people don’t really think through what they intend to do. Their resolutions are vague, or not sustainable, or aren’t particularly compelling. People don’t think through how they will remember or hold themselves accountable — not on a perfect day, but on a day like today, when you already have a lot going on.

I know some people are more oriented toward keeping random self-imposed rules than others (I am what Gretchen Rubin would call an “upholder”). But even so, I think keeping resolutions is quite doable if you make them wisely. A key part of that is embracing what I call the resolutions “preseason.”