Why Most New Year’s Resolutions Fail by February: And what to do instead.

goal setting strategic plan vision board

Mid-February Check-In: Are Your New Year’s Resolutions Still Holding Strong?

We’re now in mid-February—the time when reality sets in for most New Year’s resolutions. By now, the excitement of a fresh start has faded, and the real challenge has begun.

So, be honest: how are your resolutions going?

If you’re still on track, congratulations! You’re in the minority. Research shows that about 43% of people abandon their resolutions by the end of January (driveresearch.com), and by the time we hit mid-February, only a small percentage are still sticking with them. In fact, only about 9% of people actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions by the end of the year (driveresearch.com).

If you’ve fallen off track, don’t worry—you’re not alone. But instead of waiting until next January to try again, let’s rethink resolutions altogether.

Why Resolutions Fail (and Why It’s Not Your Fault)

Most resolutions don’t last because they’re built on willpower alone. But willpower is like a battery—it drains quickly when faced with stress, temptation, or unexpected obstacles.

Here are the top reasons resolutions fail:

They’re too big or vague. Goals like “lose weight” or “save money” sound great but lack a clear roadmap. Without specific steps, it’s easy to lose motivation.
They rely on motivation, not systems. Motivation fluctuates. If your resolution depends on you “feeling like it,” you’re setting yourself up for struggle.
There’s no plan for setbacks. Life happens. When we inevitably slip up, we feel like we’ve failed and give up entirely.

A Better Approach: Outcome-Based Goal-Setting

Instead of setting vague, all-or-nothing resolutions, shift your focus to small, achievable outcomes. Here’s how:

1. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Instead of giving up just because you missed a few days, ask yourself: What’s one thing I can do today to move forward?

Missed a week of workouts? Do 10 minutes today.
Spent too much last month? Set a small savings goal for this week.
Ate unhealthy over the weekend? Make one healthy meal today.

Success isn’t about never slipping up—it’s about getting back on track faster than before.

2. Make It Ridiculously Easy to Win

Forget huge, overwhelming goals. Start small—so small it feels too easy.

For example: 🚶 Instead of “I’ll run 5 days a week,” start with “I’ll walk for 5 minutes today.” 📚 Instead of “I’ll read 50 books this year,” try “I’ll read 2 pages before bed.” 💰 Instead of “I’ll save $5,000,” set up an auto-transfer of $5 per week.

Small wins build momentum. And momentum is what keeps you going.

3. Use a 12-Week Year Mindset

Rather than making year-long goals, try short, 12-week sprints (from The 12-Week Year by Brian Moran).

Why?

A shorter time frame creates urgency.
It helps you track progress and adjust quickly.
It gives you four fresh starts a year, instead of just one in January.

Instead of focusing on all of 2025, ask: What’s one thing I want to accomplish by April?

Let’s Reset Your Goals (Right Now!)

If you’ve lost momentum, now is the perfect time to reset. Try this:

📝 Step 1: Choose ONE goal for the next 6 weeks.

Not 10 goals. Just one. What’s the most important thing you want to work on?

🎯 Step 2: Break it into micro-goals.

If you want to exercise more, don’t commit to an hour at the gym. Commit to 10 minutes at home.
If you want to eat healthier, start with one meal per day instead of an entire diet overhaul.

📅 Step 3: Schedule it.

Put it on your calendar. Treat it like an appointment, not a “when I have time” thing.

🙌 Step 4: Track tiny wins.

Check off every time you complete your habit, even if it’s just 5 minutes. Small wins add up fast!

🔄 Step 5: Forgive Setbacks & Keep Moving.

If you slip, don’t start over. Just keep going. Progress beats perfection every time.

A Mid-February Fresh Start

If your resolutions are already a distant memory, don’t worry—you don’t need a new year to start fresh. You just need today.

Remember:

Small steps > big, unrealistic resolutions.
Shorter timeframes = more motivation.
Progress matters more than perfection.

Redefining Resolutions: The Outcome Academy Method

For a modern approach to resolutions, try the Outcome Academy method:

Self-Assessment: Reflect on your strengths, challenges, and areas for growth.
Brainstorm: Generate ideas for improvement across 12 life categories.
1. Health (Brain, Body, Beliefs)
2. Life (Cash, Clutter, Calendar)
3. Wellness (Recreation, Relaxation, Relationships)
4. Work (Team, Trajectory, Tracking)
Prioritize: Select the 3–5 goals that matter most.
Set SMARRRTT Goals: Turn your priorities into actionable, trackable goals (AND, for investing in yourself by reading this blog post, here's a coupon code for $10 off the SMARRRTT Goals course! Just enter "RESTART" at checkout!).
Plan and Execute: Use vision boards, habits, and tracking to stay on course.

You’ve got this. Now, what’s one small action you can take today? 🚀