Each year, as the calendar flips to January, many of us make resolutions. We promise ourselves we’ll lose weight, get in shape, write that book, or finally launch a business idea. But there’s a big problem: resolutions, while well-intentioned, are vague, unwritten, and often forgotten by February.
Here’s the truth—resolutions are rarely effective because they are not anchored in a plan. They are aspirations, not commitments. They’re like scribbles in the sand, easily washed away by the first wave of life’s distractions. In contrast, goals—real, measurable, written-down goals—are like concrete. They’re durable, trackable, and far more likely to lead to actual outcomes.
Let’s look at why goals work and resolutions don’t.
Why Resolutions Rarely Work
Resolutions tend to be:
Unwritten
Broad and vague
Lacking a timeline
Kept private
Take the classic New Year’s resolution: “I want to lose weight.” That’s admirable, but it’s not a plan. It’s a wish. Without clarity on how much, by when, or what actions you’ll take, it’s easy to slip up and abandon the effort altogether.
Why Goals Stick
Now let’s compare that to a real goal: “Lose one pound per week for 20 weeks.”
Suddenly, it’s specific. It’s measurable. And if you write it down, share it with others, and track progress weekly, it becomes very real. That accountability—both personal and social—adds positive pressure to stay the course.
When I decided to write my first book, I knew I needed something more than just motivation. I told all my friends, “I’m writing a book.” Why? Because I knew once I put it out there, my pride would kick in. People would ask how it was going. I didn’t want to say I gave up. That social accountability kept me going when I wanted to quit.
Three Keys to Making Goals Work
To make a goal stick, follow this simple framework:
Write It Down: Don’t let your goal live only in your head. Put it on paper. Post it where you’ll see it daily—on your bathroom mirror, fridge, or computer desktop.
Tell Someone: Accountability amplifies commitment. Telling friends or colleagues creates a support system. It can also offer helpful encouragement—or just enough peer pressure—to push through tough days.
Track Your Progress: Goals are more powerful when you can measure them. That’s why businesses use sales dashboards and performance metrics. Progress measurement gives you momentum, and each small win motivates you to continue. As the saying goes, “What gets measured gets managed.”
This goal-setting framework isn’t just for personal improvement. Entrepreneurs use it to keep their businesses on track. Sales teams use quotas. Project managers set milestones. Even your local coffee shop might have a goal for weekly customer check-ins or upsells.
Want to write a blog? Start by committing to one post a week for eight weeks.
Thinking about launching a product? Set a timeline with action steps and benchmarks.
Need to save money? Decide on a dollar amount and set a monthly savings goal.
When you write it, track it, and talk about it, you turn vague intentions into powerful results.
So, What About You?
Do you write your goals down where you’ll see them every day? Do you tell others so you’re held accountable? Do you measure your progress regularly?
If not, maybe it’s time to stop making resolutions and start setting real goals.
What’s one goal you can write down today, share with someone you trust, and start tracking—so you can finally turn intention into action?
