Did you make a resolution for the New Year? Do you have a plan in place to make it happen?

New Year's resolutions are a popular U.S. tradition, often shared after a few glasses of our favorite beverage at New Year's Eve parties! Unfortunately, statistics show that 80-90% of people do not keep their resolutions with many of us having high hopes for change and little strategy for keeping them.

The most common resolutions include losing weight, exercising more, saving money, and improving mental health. People often choose resolutions that are broad and don’t create an actual plan by setting specific and measurable goals to achieve results. 

If you are ready to establish and keep your 2025 resolutions, then join me in evaluating what you really want and what you need to do to get there. 

Let’s start with choosing what you want to resolve to do. Spend time imagining yourself achieving your goals, which can enhance motivation and clarity. Setting intentions and working towards peace of mind, happiness and more joy in your life will bring you a sense of accomplishment and pride. When thinking about what you might want to change in your life, be sure it’s for you and will make you happier. 

Once you have decided what you want to do, write it down!

STEP ONE:  Write it down somewhere because what you commit to paper (or your notes page on your phone), you are more likely to follow through with. 

STEP TWO: Now write down how it will make you feel to accomplish this goal. This is very important and should have some thought behind it to make it personal. 

STEP THREE: Write down the specific steps you will take to make this happen and then a timeline with smaller actionable goals to measure along the way. 

STEP FOUR: Finally, include how you will measure your progress. Set check in appointments with yourself to assess and update as you go through the year. You can use an app, have an accountability partner, or  add reminders on your calendar to check in and evaluate along the way. 

Here is my New Years’ resolution as an example.

The Goal: In 2025, I will  complete 1500 miles of biking/hiking. (In 2024 I completed 950 miles.) 

How Accomplishing It Will Make Me Feel: I will feel strong, accomplished, clear headed and happy to be out in nature. 

Checkpoints/Measurements: 

• Weekly: 2 bike rides with 10-15 miles each and  3 hikes with at least  3-4 miles each. 

• Monthly: Monthly check ins to see if the total is 125 miles and adjust the next month if needed. 

How I'll Measure the Goal: I will use an app to track all activities.

If your feeling particularly motivated to make changes this coming year you may want to establish more than one resolution.

 Common categories are:

• Health & Wellness

• Relationships

• Finance 

• Education/Learning

Like anything worth achieving you may have setbacks along the way. Understanding that setbacks are part of the process,  we can learn from them instead of getting discouraged. Be willing to adjust your goals or methods if circumstances change. Prioritize your well-being to maintain the energy and focus needed to achieve your goals.  Best of luck for an amazing 2025!

Check out some of Mary's most popular wellness blogs: Take a Breath!, A Great Leader Knows When Following is the Right Choice, and Healing Energy 101

About the Author:Mary Wilson has been a beauty industry pro for 40 years and has contributed in many arenas including marketing, sales, education, communication and presentation skills. She has always believed the very best way to find  overall happiness is to create authentic beauty while maintaining your own physical, mental and emotional health. In addition to being a beauty industry leader,  Mary has been a certified yoga teacher for the past 10 years, leading wellness retreats and teaching yoga, breath work. reiki and energy healing. Since launching Wilson Collective in 2019, Mary has embarked on sharing her message directly with stylist and salon owners by traveling the country in an RV with her partner and husband and sharing the Wilson Brand, teaching the Wilson Method of Haircutting, as well as Styling and Wellness.