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Why most New Year’s goals fail (and how to make 2026 different)
It’s December 30th, and you can feel the energy everywhere — new year, new goals, new you. But let’s be honest: most people who set resolutions or big goals right now won’t stick with them for long.
Let’s get unstuck.
Story of the Week
The Hard Truth About New Year’s Resolutions
Here’s a stat that might surprise you (or maybe not): according to research from the University of Scranton, about 80% of people who set New Year’s resolutions abandon them by February.
Yes, by February.
That means only 1 in 5 people actually stick with their goals for more than a month.
Why does this happen?
Here are the top five reasons most people fail to follow through:
1. Goals Are Too Vague
“I want to get healthier” or “I want to grow my business” isn’t specific enough. If you don’t know exactly what you’re aiming for, you’ll never know if you’re making progress.
2. No Real Plan
A goal without a plan is just a wish. Most people set the destination but never map out the steps to get there.
3. Trying to Do Too Much at Once
We get excited and try to change everything overnight. The result? Overwhelm, burnout, and giving up.
4. Lack of Accountability
When no one knows about your goal, it’s easy to let yourself off the hook. Accountability — whether from a friend, a group, or a coach — makes a huge difference.
5. All-or-Nothing Thinking
One slip-up and it’s “I blew it, might as well quit.” Progress isn’t linear, and setbacks are part of the process.
Here’s How We’re Going to Make 2026 Different
If you want this upcoming year to be the one where you actually make progress, here are a few quick tips:
1. Get Specific
Define your goal in clear, measurable terms. “Publish 30 short-form videos in January” is better than “be more active on social.”
2. Break It Down
What’s the first step? And the next? Focus on the next action, not the whole mountain.
3. Focus on One Thing
Pick one habit or project to start. Once you’ve built momentum, you can add more.
4. Find Accountability
Tell someone your goal. Better yet, join a group or challenge where others are working toward the same thing.
5. Embrace Imperfection
You will mess up. That’s normal. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s getting back on track quickly.
Join Our 30-Day Video Challenge
If short-form video is on your list for 2026, I’ve got something for you:
On Monday, January 12th, we’re kicking off a 30-day daily video challenge. Click here to learn more and join us! During the challenge, you’ll receive daily prompts, ongoing support, and — most importantly — the accountability you need to actually follow through.
We’ll help you build the habit, develop the skills, and make real progress — together.
Wrapping Up the Year
As we close out 2025, remember: it’s not about setting more goals. It’s about building better systems, taking consistent action, and surrounding yourself with people who will help you stay the course.
Here’s to a year of real progress, not just resolutions.
Happy New Year, and see you in 2026!
P.S. If you want to make short-form video your superpower this year, don’t miss the 30-Day Video Challenge. Let’s make this the year you actually do the thing.
Quote of the Week
"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."
—James Clear
SPI News and Notes
What do you want to achieve this year? In the latest episode of The Smart Passive Podcast, I’ll help you answer that question and build a clear roadmap to double your success in 2026 using my proven six-step goal design framework. From entrepreneurship to physical health, you can leverage this episode to crush any goal and have your best year ever. Tune in here!
Want to get an email from me every time I release a new podcast episode? Click here, and I’ll make sure you never miss out!
I see AI as an incredibly powerful productivity tool and creative partner, but not a replacement for my own thinking. I still believe the best ideas come from showing up, being curious, and doing the work. That said, when I do use AI to help me work smarter and faster, I use Poppy AI. It helps me streamline my workflow, capture ideas more efficiently, and stay focused on what actually moves the needle. If you’re curious to see how I use Poppy AI behind the scenes and how it fits into my day-to-day process, you can check out a video I made right here.
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Starting and growing a business can be hard, and sometimes you might feel stuck. Our weekly newsletter, Unstuck, gets delivered to over 100,000 people each week to help them get unstuck. We'd love to help you, too.
