By Jacque Saltsman and Deanna Philpott
Coaching Consultants

We’ve got a bone to pick with New Year’s resolutions.

The ubiquitous practice is long overdue for a shake-up, so we’ve decided to share some of our tried and true tips for setting yourself up for real success in 2025!

DON’T make a resolution just because everyone else is doing it or you feel you “should.”  

DO consider tying a goal to something that is meaningful to you – something with a “why” attached to it. For example, “lose weight” is probably the most common resolution people make, but few people have specific motivations or reasons to do so. If you’re determined to lose weight, anchor it to an emotional “why,” such as being able to play more comfortably or easily with your kids or grandkids at the playground. When you think about it this way, losing weight becomes a strategy for helping you achieve a more meaningful goal.

DON’T expect lightning-fast results.

DO start small and be patient. There’s a great lesson to be learned from the book Atomic Habits: Small changes over time make a huge impact. New Year’s resolutions tend to fall quickly by the wayside because people don’t immediately get the results they’re hoping for. Set smaller milestones so you can get comfortable with making steps toward a larger goal. Patience is key!

DON’T work in isolation.

DO get support! Find a family member, friend, or co-worker to be your accountability partner. Someone who’s already achieved your goal could serve as a mentor, or maybe you and a buddy can work toward the same goal together. In a study by the psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews, more than 70 percent of participants who sent weekly updates to a friend reported successful goal achievement, compared with 35 percent who kept their goals to themselves. Plus, consider using technology. Check for apps that can help track progress or provide support for what you’re trying to accomplish.

DON’T ignore your accomplishments.

DO celebrate wins, even the smallest ones! Make it a practice to celebrate incremental success. This helps train your brain to look for things to celebrate and helps build confidence and momentum so you can stay on track toward your larger goal.

Whether your goals are personal or professional, having a trusted thought partner to provide perspective and accountability can make all the difference. As leadership and executive coaches, we specialize in helping professionals and teams clarify their vision, create actionable strategies, and achieve meaningful growth.

Here are some of the ways we can support you and your team:

• Creating a clear vision and strategic plan to ensure success in the year ahead
• Elevating your leadership effectiveness across the organization
• Navigating transitions with confidence and ease
• Strengthening your ability to develop others
• Building emotional intelligence to foster stronger relationships and better communication

Feel free to reach out to us anytime for more information!