A new calendar year is upon us, so it’s not surprising to hear chatter about New Year’s resolutions: what resolution should one make, and why are some easier to keep than others?  A group of friends may decide to give up a certain vice and make a bet about who will be the first (or last) to break the resolution.  On the other hand, some might passionately declare their refusal to make any New Year’s resolutions altogether. 

A resolution might sound like a declaration: I finally want to stop smoking in 2025.  This wonderful proclamation could lead to healthier lungs and a more robust savings account.  Even though only a buffoon would criticize the desire to improve your health and finances, the vision of becoming a former smoker will likely not come to fruition without usage of strategically designed goals.  

Some resolutions are more measurable: I will walk 20 minutes every day in the month of January.  This is easily tracked by jotting down a few notes on a progress chart.  But what's the motivation to walk for 20 minutes?  Why not perform 10 squats each morning, or reserve 12 minutes every day for meditative breathing?  A new habit that boosts overall wellness might quickly become a thing of the past without a meaningful reason or long-term vision supporting it.

Resolutions are as different as we are, but they are all rooted in one concept: behavior modification.  As discussed in my previous article, "The First Step," (click here to read) visions and goals must both be considered when embarking on a journey of long-lasting behavior change.  Rather than debate if an effective resolution must be a complex essay including visions and goals, perhaps there’s a better way to approach the annual tradition of making (and breaking) New Year’s resolutions. 

Instead of contemplating how a resolution should be structured, let’s consider incorporating reminders into a routine.  When constructed in a balanced manner and tracked on a regular basis, creating a list of meaningful reminders is like sending postcards to your future self.  Each reminder might serve a slightly different purpose and could be executed in a variety of ways.  

My own list has six reminders for self-improvement in 2025: 

1. Love myself more.

2. Remember what’s good about myself and others.

3. Be present--slow down!

4. Help those less fortunate.

5. Keep perspective on what matters most.

6. Check motivations, then lead with kindness. 

I hope that purposeful and periodic review of my reminders leads to increased awareness of positive self-talk, reinforcement of mindfulness, reduction of harm from unhealthy social norms, and more frequent demonstration of core values.  Each of those outcomes reflects the type of resolution that is like a vision (“I will be more mindful”).  Tracking an action inspired by a reminder reflects the kind of resolution that is like a goal (“I will spend less than 20 minutes a day on social media”).

I challenge you to create and implement your own list of reminders.  As you craft your list, strive for balance.  Avoid making a list that is too short to be comprehensive or too lengthy to be practical. Think about how often you will revisit your reminders and how you will track your progress.

You do not have to travel the road of behavior modification alone.  An effective executive coach or wellness consultant will support, steer, and challenge you on each step of your quest for meaningful, enduring change.  I have had the honor and pleasure of guiding hundreds of people as they strive for improvement in various aspects of their lives.  None of their success would have been possible without periodic reminders to monitor progress of specific goals and reminders to seek evidence that a vision is becoming a reality.