With the new year comes new beginnings. At the start of 2026, I had dozens of ideas: write more, go to the gym more, sleep more. None lasted more than a week. Why didn’t they last longer?

The truth is that most resolutions fail because they rely on short bursts of motivation rather than structure and consistency,according to a study by the the American Psychological Association.

A Pirate’s Eye poll given to South sophomores showed that 70% of respondents said they make New Year’s resolutions. Some resolutions they listed are: aiming to improve their daily lives through better exercise habits, staying hydrated, or getting more sleep.

But resolutions fail if they are built entirely on willpower. The hardest part of a New Year’s resolution is having the resolve and self-motivation to finish your New Year’s resolution.

“I see that people make New Year’s resolutions that are too big,” said Lucas Braem (‘28).“They’re trying to accomplish a goal that’s way too impossible or difficult for them, which places a huge burden on them.”

This leads people to mess up on the first day, just as I did. Assael Fabre (‘26) said, “I think that’s when most people quit. They mess up once and then think they already failed, so they just stop trying instead of just continuing.”

That doesn’t mean New Year’s resolutions are useless; it just means people haven’t thought through the how of their resolution. How will they fit it into their already busy schedule? An article from UCLA Health suggests that goals are more effective when they are specific and realistic.

“You might say, I want to exercise for two hours daily, and overtime, you finish that New Year’s resolution. It’s specific so you know what you want to achieve,and you can actually tell your progress,” said Braem.

But being intentional alone isn’t enough to keep a resolution alive. You have to hold yourself accountable. That could be reminders from Google Calendar or a loved one helping you by checking in on how you’re doing with keeping your New Year’s resolution.

“You could ask your friend to help you, like, telling your friend to take or give something if you don’t continue your New Year’s resolution,” said Fabre.

Consistency and accountability are key to following through with your New Year’s resolution. According to an article in the Smithsonian Magazine written by Rachel Nuwer, people who focus on small, repeated actions over time are more likely to keep their New Year’s resolutions.

Despite multiple efforts to stay consistent, the occasional slip does occur, but these slips are recoverable. “You should focus on getting back up on your feet, trying to preserve that New Year’s resolution, because at the end of the day, it’s just one mistake. It’s not going to define who you are as a person,” said Leon Sato (‘28).

New Year’s resolutions can be more than just an idea. With planning and persistence, you can become that new and improved version of yourself you always imagined.