Happy New Year!
I hate going to the gym at this time of year—suddenly it’s bulging with hordes of new people, sporting brand-new tops and trainers, attacking exercise with the zeal of a convert.
And then, 2–3 weeks later, the crowds thin out, resolutions fade, and everything returns to normal.
Various studies suggest that around 80% of people abandon their resolutions by mid-February, and over 92% don’t make it to year end.
Personally, I don’t set New Year’s resolutions… but I DO believe in resets.
So what’s the difference—and how do you ensure that promises you make to yourself actually stick?
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
Why do people set them?
The New Year invites reflection and a sense of renewal—the idea of a clean slate and a chance to “put things right.”
We naturally attempt to fix whatever we’re unhappy with in our lives. Often, that means making one big promise to ourselves.
Typical resolutions
Most revolve around self-improvement:
- “I’m going to lose weight.”
- “I’m going to spend more time with the family.”
- “I’m going to go to the gym four times a week.”
- “I’m going to get a promotion or find a job I really enjoy.”
Why do they fail?
Because resolutions tend to be:
- Grand in scale
- Vague in detail
- Unsupported by any plan
The result? We become disillusioned when progress is slow and the effort seems to outweigh the reward. No wonder the success rate is only around 8%.
resets
Resets share the spirit of self-improvement but work very differently.
Here’s how they offer a better path:
1. Flexible Timing
You don’t need to wait until 31 December to change your life. Resets can begin any day you decide they’re needed. Research suggests you are more likely to achieve your goal if it’s set when the need arises.
2. Specific, Measurable Goals
Resets define what you want to achieve and how you’ll know when you’ve achieved it.
3. Realistic & Achievable
Instead of “I’m going to lose 30 lbs by February,” you set goals that fit real life and build momentum over time.
4. A Clear Plan
As the old saying goes, fail to plan = plan to fail. Resets include the steps needed to turn intention into action.
5. Tracking Progress
Even simple tracking helps reveal progress, highlight slip-ups, and encourages course corrections. Life happens; tracking keeps you on course.
6. Habit Building
Research (Lally et al., UCL) shows it takes an average of 66 days to form or break a habit. Resets take this into account and match your schedule accordingly.
In short, resets give you a far better chance of success—and you can make as many as you like, whenever you need them.
Summary
If you’ve unwrapped new gym gear and want to get fitter, that’s fantastic. Make the resolution, join the gym, but frame your goal in terms of a reset.
DON’T:
- Overcommit
- Expect instant transformation
DO:
- Be realistic
- Plan and monitor progress
- Build habits intentionally (and give them time to take hold)
- Give yourself wiggle room
And remember, you don’t need to wait 12 months to change something that isn’t working.
TOP TIPS
- Prioritise — Don’t try to make too many changes at once. Willpower is finite.
- Buddy Up — People stick to commitments better when someone else is counting on them.
- Little & Often — Build up gradually. Big goals start with small, regular actions.
- Eat the Frog — If you dread something, do it first each day—before procrastination wins.
- Gym Goals — If you’re joining a gym, wait until the January rush subsides!
PERSONAL DISCLOSURE
New Year’s Resolutions: I don’t make them.
Reset Goals: I set these when I feel something needs to change or when something keeps bugging me.
Example Reset Goal: Publishing LinkedIn Articles
Background:
As regular readers know, part of my semi-retirement plan involves taking on business improvement projects. I learned (October 2025) that one of the best ways to generate project opportunities was by publishing content on LinkedIn.
Goal:
Write a weekly LinkedIn post.
Plan:
- Post once a week
- Publish on Thursday mornings
- Start posting straight away (no waiting for the “perfect moment”)
- Write something meaningful—not just commentary or self-promotion
- Aim to gradually increase engagement and average views over time
Progress:
- I’m posting regularly and I’ll leave you to judge the content for yourself:
www.linkedin.com/in/philmarshadvisor - I allow myself wiggle room (so I aim to publish 52 articles per annum, not necessarily one every week)
- I keep track of all posts, publish dates and topics
- Writing LinkedIn articles has now become part of my routine—a habit—and therefore a genuine long-term change
RESET GOALS 2026
I set resets whenever they feel appropriate. For 2026, I’ve already committed to:
- Taking on additional work (1 or 2 projects per quatre)— I’m enjoying what I now do
- Tightening up my stomach muscles (starting in February, post-gym-rush) with a PT-designed routine
- Joining at least one new club during the year
- Baking bread at least once a quarter
GENERAL UPDATES
More new experiences and opportunities keep popping up, and I keep saying yes. Recent ones include:
- New Car Review: I was asked to drive a new make of car and share my experience and findings on social media So I did.
- Kennel Club: Attended an awards presentation at the Kennel Club in London
- Online Game Marathon: Took part in a two-day marathon with one of the boys
- ‘Lapland’: Spent a great morning helping Santa make toys!
As ever, all new experiences add colour to my world.
Have a question?
Leave it in the comments or email me directly:
| rookieretiree@btinternet.com |
Future Blog Contents
Next month’s blog continues the “Other Voices” theme—this time from the USA.
If you’ve missed earlier posts, you can revisit them via the Contents page or via the link to Part 11 below.
Link to the previous post (Part 11) is provided below..
| Link to PRIOR POST |
OR……
👉 Browse the full series here: [Contents Page]
Regards
Rookie retiree 
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