Clarity With Momentum: How to Set Yourself Up for a Successful Year

Photo by Andres Ramos on Vecteezy.com

Now that you’ve put together your new goals (hmmm… New Year resolutions), pause for a moment.

Are these goals that truly matter to you—or simply the familiar routine that shows up every January?

Every year, millions of professionals set resolutions. Yet by February, many are already discouraged. Let’s be honest: New Year resolutions don’t work for everyone.

A widely cited study by John C. Norcross and colleagues at the University of Scranton, PA followed resolution-setters for six months. The results were telling:

• 75% were still on track after one week

• 71% after two weeks

• Only 46% after six weeks (mid-February)

Another survey reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC), citing the Association of Psychologists of Newfoundland and Labrador, found that approximately 80% of individuals do not succeed with their New Year’s resolutions by mid-February, often due to unrealistic goals and lack of planning.

So what’s really going on?

Enthusiasm without clarity leads to burnout—not fulfilment.

Clarity means having a clear mind, free of doubt, about why each goal matters. Without clarity, even sustained effort becomes scattered and exhausting.

Let me share a simple personal example.

After several failed attempts over the years, I gave myself one final try at building a gym habit in 2021. This time, I did something differently. I became clear about why it mattered to me:

• Physical durability (yes, I’m getting older)

• Mental wellness

• A healthy distraction from daily pressures

I committed to three gym visits a week. Four years later, I’m still going strong. On days when motivation dips, clarity—not willpower—keeps me moving.

That clarity has been liberating.

So how do you become part of the 20–46% who actually follow through and create meaningful change?

Take a moment to reflect on these three questions:

1️. What truly matters to me this year?Tip: Do these align with your values and passions? Prioritise a small, manageable number.

2️. What continues to drain my energy?Tip: Identify what you are genuinely ready to leave behind.

3️. What will “success” mean to me?Tip: Define clear measures, timelines, and review points. Track progress in whatever way works for you—journal, phone notes, spreadsheet, or reminders.

Clarity brings direction. Direction builds confidence.

Whether you’re transitioning careers, settling into a new country, or redefining life after retirement, understanding your why gives meaning to every step forward.

§  As you begin 2026, choose reflection and clarity over another list of unfulfilled resolutions.

If reflection resonates with you, you can use my Clarity Worksheet and take 15 quiet minutes to define what truly matters most this year.