Resolutions Are So 2020

Around this time of year, you’ll no doubt see headlines about how to create better resolutions. In my experience, 98.5% of those articles will talk about the power of having an implementation intention—basically, don’t just say what you want to do, but state how and when you will do it. And indeed, there is a lot of research to back that up. 

The other general advice is to enlist support, like an accountability partner. I agree with that suggestion as well.

But I think the reason that resolutions aren’t effective for many of us is that resolutions are too future-focused. A better framework: Create an Operating Plan.

The Operating Plan is not what I’m going to do. It’s what I am already doing because that’s just what I do. 

In other words, it takes the implementation intention and makes it even stronger. 

From: “I will work out more.” 

To: “I am a member of a (socially distant) running club because I’m an athlete.”

From: “I will take more breaks this year.” 

To: “I have already blocked off two weeks for vacation and a four-day weekend every other month because I take care of myself.”

From: “I need to go to the doctor.” 

To: “I have an appointment scheduled for March 15 because I stay on top of my health.”

That approach also puts the onus on you to figure out what you can do today to take action …like right now. 

And the upside is that it removes ambiguity and the need for planning once you get started. 

The solutions you implement might be different, but the focus on taking real action immediately may be the missing piece to achieving these types of goals.

At the very least, you’ll finally get to that annual physical. :)

So what is your plan?

A QUOTE I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT

“Hundreds of studies have shown that implementation intentions are effective for sticking to our goals, whether it’s writing down the exact time and date of when you will get a flu shot or recording the time of your colonoscopy appointment.” 

— James Clear, in Atomic Habits