Don’t Quit Your New Year Resolutions!
The energy of the new year has been STRONG. Gyms are bursting at the seams, it seems like everyone is either dry or vegan (or maybe both), and many are still committed to their new year resolutions. That is, until January 10th.
Did you know that January 10th is considered “quitter’s day,” the day that many people fall off their New Year Resolution buzz? Why is that the case?
My New Year Resolution Theory
I have a theory about new year resolutions, and why so many people leave their resolution, well, unresolved. This theory is born from experience as I have also set lofty, well-intentioned, righteous goals at the start of a new year, only to find myself back in last year’s routine before the end of the month. In fact, there was a dry spell for me with several years of NO new year resolutions as the constant backsliding left me feeling annoyed, frustrated and unaccomplished. That’s no way to live a seasoned life.
My theory is that many people fall short on their new year resolutions because they’ve either set their sights too high with an unrealistic resolution, OR they’ve ignored the small wins that should be recognized as progress toward the overall new year resolution.
With the constant push to achieve more, it’s easy to fall into the trap of equating societal success with large milestones—earning a degree, making the “40 Under 40” list, buying a home, or receiving a major award. However, the reality is that we are winning every single day in more ways than we realize.
Celebrating small wins and maintaining a mindset of excitement for all achievements sets a great example for our kids (who we sometimes call ungrateful for not celebrating their own small wins…or is that just me?). It also helps us appreciate the grandeur of those larger victories when they happen, making them even sweeter. In this way, celebrating small wins builds momentum toward the larger goals that may feel out of reach, especially goals like new year resolutions.
We’re all juggling so much—careers, kids, relationships, aging parents, and self-care. Why not give ourselves the credit we deserve? It’s not selfish; it’s essential.
This post covers the importance of celebrating small wins as a key component of the new years resolution process, how these wins positively impact our mindset, and ways we can unapologetically acknowledge even the simplest of victories. Whether your new year resolution is to cut back on processed sugar, stay on top of laundry, or finally gain that certification, every smaller win matters.
Why Every Win Matters
The life we live today often centers around the big picture—an adult way of thinking. Follow me into the mind of a kid for just a moment. When your child creates a picture, they gather materials, decide on a topic, and choose colors and paints—each decision is a small win. And if you’ve ever heard a “Look at me, Mom!” you know kids celebrate each step of the process.
These small wins build confidence and motivation, helping kids progress toward the “big picture.” As adults, we need to revisit this mindset and recognize that every small win is a stepping stone to a greater goal. Small wins shift our focus to what we’ve accomplished rather than what we haven’t done. This simple shift in mindset has a profound effect on our overall well-being and our ability to succeed at new year resolutions.
The Benefits of Celebrating Small Wins
1. It Boosts Motivation
Celebrating accomplishments is a major mood booster. Acknowledging small wins reminds us that we are making progress toward new year resolutions and gives us that empowering sense of achievement that helps us to keep going. Breaking down larger goals into smaller components allows us to measure our progress, which fuels motivation.
For example, resisting the candy bowl at the nail salon may seem like a small win, but it’s a huge step for your health and self-control as part of a new year resolution to limit processed sugar intake. Celebrate your ability to prioritize your well-being—high five!
2. It Reduces Stress
Are you already overwhelmed by any of your new year resolutions? Breaking it into smaller steps makes it manageable. Celebrating each smaller step helps you realize how much control you have over the new year resolution, reducing both stress and anxiety.
For example, identifying parts of a larger task that can be delegated to someone else is a win in itself. As you complete smaller components, the weight lifts from your shoulders, and you gain a sense of control.
Let’s say your new year resolution is to lose 30 pounds. This is an overwhelming amount of weight to attempt to lose all at once and – in fact – any health professional will tell you the best way to lose weight is to do so gradually. Any weight loss of more than 2 pounds per week is bound to come back with a vengeance. Instead of stressing over the big number of “30,” set a smaller, more manageable new year resolution of losing 5 pounds per month. Even making small changes (like sparkling water instead of soda) can easily translate into a new year resolution win. Reduce the goal into smaller pieces, and you will find yourself with more wins!
3. It Builds Confidence
There’s no better way to reinforce belief in your ability to achieve your new year resolutions than by celebrating small wins. Recognizing these moments boosts your confidence and builds resilience. Each time you tackle a component of your new year resolution—no matter how small—celebrate along the way. You deserve it!
How to Celebrate Small Wins
Write It Down
There are at least two ways to do this:
- Daily Wins Journal: At the end of each day, write down three small wins (e.g., “I didn’t eat any candy today!”). Reflecting on these moments helps you focus on what you’re doing well instead of what’s lacking.
- Task Breakdown List: Break a major task into smaller steps and check off each completed step. This visual representation of progress is highly motivating.
Share Progress with Others
We’re social creatures, even the most introverted among us. Sharing accomplishments validates your success and creates joy within your community. Your small win may even inspire others. For example, sharing that you avoided sending a snarky email might lead to a fun conversation about a similar win for your friend. The most fun way this can manifest is to have a vision board party with a few trusted friends or family, and you can each talk about your new year resolutions and how you can hold each other accountable. Monthly check-ins allow you to celebrate others’ small wins, and recognize unrealized small wins of your own!
Treat Yourself
Rewards don’t have to be extravagant. A treat could be a 5-minute break in the fresh air, an extra-long shower, or a much-needed nap after completing a tough task associated with your new year resolutions. Celebrate your progress with something meaningful to you. Just make sure that your reward isn’t counterproductive to your goal (e.g. rewarding a 2 pound weight loss with a large piece of cheesecake may set you back a bit on that overall 30 pound new year resolution weight loss goal).
Show Your Progress
In addition to journaling, you can try other creative methods:
- Set up new year resolution jars by moving a bead from one jar to another for each completed task. This is most fun if you can do it with another person.
- Create a to-do list for each new year resolution, and check off items as the year progresses.
- Create a tick-mark sheet for your new year resolution so you can mark each time you complete an element of the resolution.
Watching these tangible markers of progress adds excitement and satisfaction to your journey, and provides a visual to your job well done.
Give Yourself Grace
Sometimes Plan A for the new year resolution doesn’t work, and you need a Plan B or even Plan C. Life is unpredictable, and not every day will go as planned. On tough days, focus on alternate small wins or relish small wins of the prior day. And if there’s a major setback, brush it off and adjust the smaller components of your new year resolution so that it stays achievable.
For example, if you missed your gym sessions because of snow days, but spent the morning shoveling snow, that still counts as a workout and progress toward your new year resolution (playing with kids in the snow counts too).
Even on the hardest days, small wins are worth celebrating.
Conclusion
It’s the small wins that push us toward our larger victories. By celebrating small accomplishments, we build consistency, increase motivation, reduce stress, and boost our chances of achieving long-term success toward our new year resolutions.
Don’t let January 10th catch you slipping. Whether your new year resolution focuses on health and wellness, career, relationships, or self-care, celebrating small wins is essential for your personal growth. Take a moment to be kind to yourself and celebrate in your own way. It’s the most indulgent form of self-care you can achieve.
Live seasoned,
Shauna